ABSTRACT |
An analysis and needs assessment was conducted to identify kindergarten through grade 14 (K-14) customer needs with regard to using the World Wide Web (WWW) for instruction and to identify obstacles K-14 teachers face in utilizing NASA Learning Technologies products in the classroom. The needs assessment was conducted as part of the Dryden Learning Technologies Project which is a collaboration between Dryden Flight Research Center (DFRC), Edwards, California and The Pennsylvania State University (PSU), University Park, Pennsylvania. The overall project is a multiyear effort to conduct research in the development of teacher training and tools for Web-based science, mathematics and technology instruction and learning. The project team conducting the research consisted of graduate students at PSU under the supervision of Dr. Barbara Grabowski, Associate Professor, PSU, and Dr. Marianne McCarthy, Learning Technologies Project Manager at DFRC. Jeff Ehmen of the Marshall Space Flight Center Spacelink program, Dr. Marchelle Canright of the Langley Research Center Office of Education and Lee Duke, Chief of Public Affairs, Commercialization, and Education at DFRC also contributed to the research effort. The areas investigated included administrative infrastructure, technology infrastructure, teacher factors, school curriculum, existing Web-based NASA materials, best practices using the WWW in the classroom, teacher tutorials and teaching and learning philosophy.
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