Yue Ma's Portfolio Page
Introduction
The mini-course I’ve created is to discuss one fundamental and unavoidable issue in the 21st century: global warming. In the beginning, I will lead a discussion on distinctive signs of global warming around us to arouse students’ interests. I will then carefully analyze the major factors causing global warming with students. By revealing those already-seen and potential effects of global warming, I will further lead the discussion on attitudes and policies of different countries which face the same issue. At the end of this unit, students will present their attitudes towards this issue by writing a refection paper.
Needs Assessment
Instructional problem
This mini-course is designed to challenge and develop students' abilities to integrate multiple subjects to analyze and solve complicated issues in their real life. To achieve this goal, students are required to have a well digestion of what they've been taught in both natrual and social science classes.
The nature of what is learned
Issues in real life are complicated, yet they could be simplified and modeled to study. Students will find out what they have learned in different classes can be combined to understand and solve problems. They will also be trained to be familiar with scientific thinking.
Learning Analysis
This is a interdisciplinal course designed for advanced students in high school. Students taking this course should have a good understanding of both natural science ( math, basic chemistry, physics and earth science)and politics. A pretest is provided to assess the average level of students who want to take this class.
Here goes to pretest
Instructional Context
A short movie will be displayed in the beginning to attract students' attention. Several handout materials will be printed out and delivered in the class. Powerpoint slides will be shown in class, although traditional blackboard could also be used.
Performance Objectives
Upon the completion of this mini course, students are expected to
1. Fully Acknowledge the phenomenon of global warming
2. Understand the effects causing global warming along with its potential effects on both natural and social systems.
3. Know different policies and attitudes towards global warming
4. Have better ideas about scientific reasoning and analysis of complicated issues in the real life.
Task Analysis
Purpose
Math, physics, chemistry, geology, international relationships are all taught, yet separately, in high school. However, students usually are lack of opportunities to integrate knowledge and abilities from different disciplines to solve comprehensive and complicated problems in their real life. This course is designed to help students acknowledge and then concern a real issue in our daily life. Step by step, they will be asked to use their knowledge obtained from both natural sciences and humanities to analyze situations and make their judgements. Upon completion, students are expected to have a better idea of scientific thinking and how different knowledge could be applied and integrated to solve a complicated issue.
Essential Prerequisites
Knowledge of Geology:
Basic World Geology
Knowledge of Physics:
Heat transfer concepts and theories
Conduction, Convection, Radiation
Absorption and Reflection
Basic concepts of thermodynamics
Knowledge of Chemistry:
Chemical Equilibrium and dynamics
Solubility
Knowledge of International Relationships:
Concepts of developed and developing countries (compare and contrast)
Supportive Prerequisites
Strong curiosity to nature and willingness to study challenging problems
Familiar with the global warming issue through parents, TV and the Internet