The document discusses creating a virtual Earth Science teaching and learning community across academic institutions in the Portland metropolitan region. The goal is to develop online course elements like assignments, lectures, and activities to create a unified experience for students. It will also include field-based environmental monitoring with both in-person and virtual components as well as virtual field trips. The community seeks to flip classrooms by using online materials for fundamental concepts and classroom time for problem solving. This will provide improved access to modular curriculum materials for students and teachers while assessing learning outcomes.

1. Creating a virtual Earth Science learning and
teaching community
PSU Geology Department

2. Our Earth
science
community is
internationally
connected
through
research,
teaching, and
learning.

3. Our Earth science
community shares
responsibility for
understanding the
physical advantages
and constraints of our
region.

4. Our Earth science community seeks sustainable
solutions for the urban environment.

5. Project
To develop a virtual teaching and learning
community that emphasizes skill building and
knowledge attainment, student retention, and
professional development through Earth Science
and Geology curricula across the Portland
metropolitan region

6. The virtual Earth
Science classroom,
shared across
academic institutions,
will make an
organized
accessible
adaptable
collection of curricular
elements available to a
large number of
students and teachers.

7. Online course elements – assignments,
lectures, group activities creating a united
experience for students.
Field-based environmental monitoring
including face-to-face and virtual
components.
Virtual field trips broaden access for all learners
to sites.

8. We seek to flip classrooms, using online
materials to present fundamental concepts
while using classroom time for problem
solving, discussion, and teamwork.
Modularity and redundancy in curricular
materials support teachers in tailoring
hybrid modules to different segments of
the learning community.
Assessment of learning outcomes included
in all new activities.

9. Outcome
Development and support of the online learning
community helps students derive the most benefit
from online/hybrid classes.

10. Outcome
Online learning community provides role models
for students coming up the ladder and mentoring
opportunities for more advanced students

11. Outcome
Improved access to curricular materials for
students and teachers throughout the teaching and
learning community.

12. Outcome
Earlier and more complete mastery of
fundamentals will improve outcomes at more
advanced levels.

13. Outcome
Research - Assessment allows us to turn curricular
development into academic research. PSU and
Portland area Community College Earth Science
community can be leaders in a novel and important
research area.