Teaching Science Methods Courses with Web-Enhanced Activities.

This session presented instructional approaches that utilize Web-based interactivities for learning science content and concepts in Lehigh University's elementary and secondary science methods courses. Theoretical Background: Learning Science with the World Wide Web Learning science in today's classroom does not have to be restricted to text-based curricular resources. Websites present learners with a wide range of science activities in various formats ranging from text-only information to providing authentic real-time data sets and interactive simulations. Owston (1997) contended that the World Wide Web is likely to bring new learning resources and opportunities into the classroom, provide teachers and students access to more resources, and promote improved learning. Many Web-based curricular resources have been developed for use in K-12 science classrooms. Some of these resources have been described in the literature (Alloway et al., 1996; Beaujardiere et al., 1997; Berenfeld, 1994; Bodzin, 1997; Bodzin, 2001; Bodzin & Mamlok, 2000; Bodzin & Park, 1999; Cohen, 1997; Coulter & Walters, 1997; Feldman, Konold, & Coulter, 2000; Friedman, Baron, and Addison, 1996; Gordin et al., 1996; Songer, 1996; Songer, 1998; Wallace & Kupperman, 1997). The Web can encourage students to learn independently of a teacher. Materials can provide prompts for students to examine evidence (data), compare different viewpoints on issues, and analyze and synthesize existing data sets to formulate conclusions. The