NR 690D: Workshop in Environmental Education [Alien Invaders], 2 credits U, G

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Course description. This course has been designed to educate teachers about exotic and invasive species entering the United States. Activities and methods to be used to integrate exotic species education into a classroom are covered, and alternative methods for non-teachers are included. The course is web-based with no class meetings.

Objectives. Teachers who successfully complete this course will be able to

• Identify at least five different types of exotic species and the ways they entered the U.S. ecosystem;
• Describe ways to educate your students about exotic species and the threats they pose to the local environment;
• Design a curriculum activity to teach about exotic species in your classroom.
  
  Course participants who are not teachers will make a database of species, critique web sites, learn decision making techniques, make a public information flyer and do a public survey about alien species.

Format. The course will be taught via online instruction. The course content is available at http://earthsys.ag.ohio-state.edu/alien.htm and you must have a user name and password to login (available from the instructor one week before class). All assignments are submitted through a Dropbox in the Carmen system for OSU. Carmen will also be a good place to ask questions or get feedback from others in the class on topics of interest.

Course materials. All course materials are available online from the course website. You must have computer and internet access to complete the course, and a group of learners for activities.

Topics to be addressed in the course include

1. Introduction to exotic species.
2. What are they, where they come from, impacts, and control
3. Methods for learning and making decisions about local and regional exotic species threats
4. Ways to integrate exotic species education into your school and community

Course Activities to be completed with students [Non-teaching alternatives available on each task page]:

• Tasks One - Four as identified in instructional units
• Zebra Mussel Decision Activity

Evaluation. The course is letter graded, not S/U. Grades will be based on

• Matchup pretest [points awarded for completion] 5%
• Four task reports or non-teaching alternatives 40%
• Zebra Mussel activity or alternative 10%
• Concept Map activity 15%
• General quiz 10%
• Development of a exotic species lesson 20%
      [specific guidelines provided]

Instructor. Rosanne W. Fortner, School of Natural Resources, The Ohio State University
e-mail fortner.2@osu.edu