Browsing by Author "Heimlich, Joe"

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    Best practices for field days : Assessment tool and observation protocol
    (St. Paul, MN: University of Minnesota Extension Service, 2009) Carlson, Stephan; Heimlich, Joe; Storksdieck, Martin; Meyer, Nathan
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    Best Practices for Field Days: Environmental Field Days Assessment Tool: Reliability Study
    (St. Paul, MN: University of Minnesota Extension Service, 2008-08) Storksdieck, Martin; Heimlich, Joe; Figueriredo, Claudia; Carlson, Stephan
    The Environmental Field Day Observation Tool (the Tool) was tested for reliability under two conditions: (1) As original Tool during the Sauk RiverWater Festival, a traditional Environmental Field Day in Minnesota; and (2) a modified version of the Tool, with fewer items, at the Marine ExplorationWeekend, a .special event for family visitors at the Pacific Science Center in Seattle, WA. The Sauk RiverWater Festival represents a traditional Field Day insofar as groups of students (representing a class of about 20 students with at least one teacher and normally one or more chaperones) move together from station to station. These groups can be observed together over the course of the Field Day. The SaukWater Festival was held in the summer of 2008.
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    Best Practices for Field Days: Modified Delphi used for Observation Tool Development
    (St. Paul, MN: University of Minnesota Extension Service, 2009) Heimlich, Joe; Carlson, Stephan; Tanner, Dawn; Storksdieck, Martin
    A team of 40 people from across the country were invited to the Best Practices for Field Days (BPFD) Delphi panel to develop an effective observation instrument for determining the quality of field day components that represent best practices. Thirty nine people accepted the invitation and 27 people participated.
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    Best Practices for Field Days: Validating an Informal Science Education Field Day Observation Tool
    (St. Paul, MN: University of Minnesota Extension Service, 2009) Carlson, Stephan; Storksdieck, Martin; Heimlich, Joe
    A study was conducted at the Metro Children’sWater Festival (CWF) in St Paul, Minnesota in the fall of 2008 where 44 schools and more than 1,200 fifth grade students participated in the one day event. The purpose of the study was to assess the validity of an observation tool for informal science education around Field Day programs. Content validity (Modified Delphi) and coder reliability of the observation tool was established the previous years (NSF, #0635559). Items from the observation tool were mapped to students’ evaluation questions to determine the degree to which observed characteristics of the field day are aligned with student perception. It is conceivable that they don’t align. Students’ assessment of their experience is based on factors that have little to do with what educators care about. Significant correlations support the validity; lack there of, on the other hand, does not indicate that the tool isn’t valid.
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    Observation Protocol for Assessment Tool with Best Practices for Field
    (St. Paul, MN: University of Minnesota Extension Service, 2009-10) Carlson, Stephan; Storksdieck, Martin; Heimlich, Joe; Meyer, Nathan; Lorek Strauss, Andrea
    Outreach programs like Environmental Field Days or Water Festivals are often exciting and memorable experiences for children. They include a direct, hands-on connection between students and the science of their environment. The problem is that these events are not always productive educational opportunities. Focused observation and assessment are needed to ensure increased effectiveness and the best possible outcomes. The Best Practices for Field Days (BPFD) Assessment Tool provides systematic observation methods to evaluate the success of Field Days in meeting intended educational outcomes. The Tool measures and assesses the conditions available for learning to take place in an informal science setting. It is composed of two parts: the Individual Assessment Tool to evaluate stations throughout the day and the Holistic Assessment Tool to evaluate the day and incorporate the Individual Assessment Tool information. The poster will describe the development of the tool, testing and the reliability/validity studies conducted on the tool. Copies of the tool will be available to review.