Introduction

Today's action-packed computer games captivate students in grades K-6. Young students demand fast-paced games that deliver high adventure, plus exciting audio and visual stimulation. Future educational software will have to compete for the attention of this especially demanding audience. Fortunately, we have the answer in interactive multimedia (e.g., images, text, animation, audio, video). If done right, educational multimedia can grab and hold the attention of these youngsters as effectively as computer games.

Our objective is to test the ability of multimedia to enlighten elementary school students about remote sensing. Elementary school is a critical time for students to form opinions about science. The language and content of educational software for older students are often inappropriate or unappealing to younger students. We hope to use multimedia to accomplish captivating a studentıs attention while applying the science to real-world applications. Combined with multimedia, science taught using images of the earth and planets attained by remote sensing can grasp the attention of elementary school students. Geography and earth science lessons can be powerfully reinforced through satellite images. Students can view damage from floods, volcanic eruptions, and droughts. Muddy drainage into lakes, resulting from poor agricultural practices, and deforestation are all discernible from space. An effective multimedia package can complement the science curriculum by providing a context to real-world applications.

One of NASAıs stated goals is to support general education by distributing information obtained from its scientific missions both to schools and to the general public. Dramatic images, graphics and video from NASA can play a powerful role in introducing young students to real-world applications of science. Our interactive multimedia package for elementary education in earth and space remote sensing will contribute to these goals.

Background

A prototype software package, created using Hypercard, was discussed by Masuoka et al., 1996. This prototype has been reviewed for content and approach by several teachers. These teachers have expressed an interest in using the package in their classrooms and have suggested ways to make it even more useful in complementing their lesson plans.

Our interest of appealing to a younger audience led us to develop a second software package geared toward elementary school students. A different multimedia authoring tool, Macromedia Director, was chosen to create a more sophisticated package. The current prototype is the basis for an elementary level multimedia package under development. The topics covered in the package will be:
How are remotely sensed images obtained and what are their characteristics?
What are the physical features being observed?
What are the issues that are being addressed through remote sensing?

Developing the Multimedia Package

Developing the multimedia package requires expertise in diverse fields. To achieve this, our team consists of remote sensing experts, educational experts, and interactive multimedia experts. To address the attention span issue, the package must go beyond the electronic multiple choice tests and slide show formats typical of many educational programs. The primary challenge in developing the package is recasting the scientific information provided by remote sensing experts to an elementary school level which can be incorporated in the classroom.

Teaching using multimedia has few resemblances to traditional teaching methods. Most curricula are structured in a linear fashion ­ each lesson building upon the previous. Multimedia is by nature non-linear. Non-linear methods can create an interactive environment appealing to the different modals of learning. This non-linear, interactive approach must be structured carefully because while grasping their attention, it can also divert the student from the desired task. Our package will provide short linear lessons via video and animation incorporated within a broad interconnected pattern of information. The interactivity and the ability to add alternate explanations or stimuli, without cluttering the content, is one major advantage multimedia has over traditional textbooks or videos. Such a package can function one-on-one, as well as providing visual elaboration of complex concepts for incorporation into a teacherıs more formal lecture.

The multimedia program is being developed primarily using Macromedia Director. Images are obtained from researchers and from donations from private companies. Elementary school earth science curriculum is used as a reference to incorporate the package into the classroom. The resulting package is tested periodically during development to obtain feedback from teachers and students and to ensure desired performance.

Description of Package

The package will focus on three main areas: 1) what remote sensing is; 2) understanding light; 3) real-world applications. First, will be a broad overview and a definition of remote sensing. Why remote? What can remote sensing show us? A problem solving activity using images will reinforce the comprehension of remote sensing. Second, an understanding of the fundamental properties of light is needed to understand how remotely sensed images are obtained. Activities will include experimenting with filters, and an on-screen simulation of photography. The third area is broken down further and looks at real-world applications using different forms of remote sensing. The activities will use specific examples prompting the interpretation of data, recognition of patterns and problem solving. These examples also give context to specific science disciplines such as geology, biology, astronomy, cartography, hydrology, and glaciology.

Each concept will be approached using a similar sequence. First, relating the concept to the studentıs existing knowledge base. Each remote sensing concept will be explored using video, graphics, and animation. The next step is an interactive excercise which will evaluate their level of understanding. If the response is correct, a special activity will follow. An incorrect response will prompt an alternate explanation instead of reiterating the previous ineffective sequence.

Future Plans

The remote sensing multimedia package will be completed in the coming year. The final package, including a teacherıs supplement, will be distributed to schools at cost on CD and for free on an ftp site. Portions of the package will also be converted to HyperText Markup Language (HTML) format for our World Wide Web site.

Reference

Masuoka, P.M., Samadi, S., Khosand, M., and Foresman, T., 1996. Developing a Multimedia Package for Remote Sensing Education. 1996 ASPRS/ACSM Annual Convention and Exposition Technical Papers, Vol. 1, pp. 531-538.