The Development, Pilot-Test, Evaluation, and Recommendations for an Online Course titled Environmental Studies of China
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Date
2007-05Author
Wang, Yu
Publisher
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, College of Natural Resources
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Show full item recordAbstract
A China Study Program was planned in 2007 by the Global Environmental Teachings
Program (GET) for educators who have interest in learning about China and its environment
through an overseas study course. To help the program participants prepare for the travel
course and strengthen their learning, a one-credit online course on China was developed and
offered. The goal of this study was to develop, pilot-test, evaluate, and revise a graduate
online course that assists educators in understanding the cultural, educational, and political
situations that affect the natural environment in China. Action research methodology was
used in this study.
The online course, NRES 679: Environmental Studies of China, was developed
between February 2006 and January 2007. The content of this course consisted of four units:
Unit One: General Introduction, Unit Two: Biodiversity and Conservation, Unit Three: Major
Environmental Issues, and Unit Four: Society and Efforts. NRES 679: Environmental
Studies of China used both course webpage and Desire2Learn platforms for the offering.
The course was piloted from January 17th, 2007 to February 18th, 2007. The researcher was
also the instructor of the pilot. Fourteen students completed the course by February 18th, 2007.
Evaluation of the piloted course included formative assessments and one post-assessment.
Results of the evaluation indicated that the participants valued the course and improved their
literacy relative to China and its environmental issues. The course also helped teachers
traveling to China in the summer of 2007 prepare for their trip.
Based on the evaluation results, the study included revision recommendations for the
next course offering. A few additional recommendations were made to the GET program,
College of Natural Resources, and Continuing Education at UWSP. This study has
implications to future offerings of this online course through UWSP.