The document discusses the use of digital tools to enhance student learning outcomes in education for sustainability, highlighting online platforms like Padlet, Slideshare, and YouTube. It emphasizes the benefits of online study environments, such as flexibility and accessibility, while also addressing challenges like technological reliability and the need for student motivation. Additionally, it outlines a VCE environmental science program that supports students in developing sustainability knowledge and skills, preparing them for tertiary education and future employment.

1. “Digital tools to improve student
learning outcomes in education
for sustainability”
Britt Gow
Hawkesdale P12 College
November, 2014

2. @brittgow
brittgow@gmail.com

3. Introduce yourself on the Padlet wall
• http://padlet.com/brittgow1/aaee
• Padlet is an online, virtual pin-board
• Double click anywhere on the wall and start
typing
• It can be customized for title, background,
security settings (privacy) and URL.

4. Traditional classrooms
Teacher
Student Parent

5. Contemporary classrooms
Student
Teacher Parent

6. Peers
Student
Teacher Parent
School Family

7. Traditional Learning
Knowledge
Skills Attitudes

8. Contemporary Learning
Attitudes
Skills Knowledge

9. Knowledge Skills Attitudes
Literacy
Numeracy
Disciplinary
(Science, History,
Geography etc)
Critical thinking
Collaboration
Communication
Creativity
Media skills
Technology skills
Empathy
Confidence
Persistence
Organisation
Resilience
Teamwork
Flexibility

10. VCE Environmental Science
• Energy and Greenhouse Gases, including a
case-study comparison between a fossil fuel
and non-fossil energy source
• Biodiversity, including a case study of a local
threatened species
• Pollution
• Applied Environmental Science, including
Environmental Management Systems

12. @ScienceMags
Magdeline Lum, a
Metallurgist, photographer
and science writer from
Perth

13. @genegeek
Catherine Anderson,
a geneticist from
Canada.

14. Melissa Toifl is our CSIRO Scientists in
Schools partner, who works with Land and
Water Technologies at Highett and Clayton.

16. Slideshare and YouTube are used to share
teaching and learning resources with other
students and teachers of VCE Environmental
Science.
http://www.slideshare.net/brittgow
https://www.youtube.com/user/brittgow/vi
deos

18. VCE Environmental Science Online
• Running since 2010 with 4 to 8 students each
year online and up to 15 students at
Hawkesdale P12 College
• Meet at Ecolinc, Bacchus Marsh and study
camps in July (Grampians) and September
(Apollo Bay).
• Students from Ballarat, Shepparton,
Bairnsdale, Eltham, Yea, Taralgon, Collingwood
and Dandenong.

22. Benefits of online study
• Can work at student’s own pace, in their own
environment.
• Using online tools is expected of students in
tertiary study and future employment.
• Can provide expertise in schools that currently
don’t have a teacher, or not enough students
choosing the subject.
• Provides an
alternative to face-to-
face classes.

23. Benefits of online study
• Students go on to tertiary courses such as
Bachelor of Science, Land Conservation and
Wildlife Management, Veterinary Science and
Environmental Engineering.
• Even if their tertiary studies and future
employment does not have a direct
environmental focus, they have sustainability
knowledge and skills.

24. Challenges of online study
• Not supported by timetable constraints or
department systems
• Technology is not always reliable
• Some students do not have the necessary
attributes that allow success in an online
environment (eg. Motivation, independent
learning skills, optimism and flexibility)
• Not ideal for an Env Sci course – outdoors &
hands-on

27. http://quizlet.com/Brittgow

28. Questions around Blended
Learning Environments
http://moourl.com/Learn2014

29. Thank you for your participation in
this workshop session.
Please contact me if you have any
questions, contributions or if you
would like to explore these
questions further.
brittgow@gmail.com
brittgow @ Twitter