Selecting Computer-Based High School Science Curricula: A Guide
for Teachers is for teachers and other educators confronting the challenge
of technology in the teaching
of high school science.
What the Guide Is For
Accompanying the boom in education Web sites and CD-ROM resources has been the production of guides and guidelines, models, and methodologies for planning technology reforms in school districts, school buildings, and classrooms. The Internet itself is a source of strategies educators can use to integrate more technology into the curriculum and for creating curriculum that uses technology.
Selecting Computer-Based High School Science Curricula, however, focuses on the science education materials that are already offered via the Internet or CD-ROM as comprehensive learning experiences. It helps educators consider whether the materials offered use the technology to support a sound curriculum. The technology should enhance the learning experience. Being computer-based does not assure that a curriculum supports learning, teaching, equity, and ease of use.
The tool presented in this document provides criteria that teachers and other educators can use in thinking about the suitability of a program offered via a Web site or CD-ROM to serve as a “core curriculum” for high school science. The criteria are presented in the forms of a questionnaire and a matrix.
Access to the Guide
Download the complete guide [pdf].
Refer to the following sections of the guide.
- Introduction: More information about the purposes and development of the guide.
- Review Criteria: List and discussion of criteria to use when reviewing computer-based curricula.
- Curriculum Review Tool: “Worksheet” to use during the review process [pdf].
- Sample Reviews: Examples of notes made by teachers using the tool [pdf].
- Curriculum Profiles: Snapshot descriptions of computer-based curricula available for use in high school science.
Communicate with the Developers
We welcome discussion on the criteria used in the guide, and are interested in your suggestions for computer-based curricula that might be profiled on this Web site. If you have something to share, contact Joe Flynn at jflynn@edc.org
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and NEC Foundation of America. NSF support is provided under Grant No. 9818731. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of NEC Foundation of America or NSF.
