Date of Award
4-2002
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Geography
First Advisor
Dr. Joseph Stoltman
Second Advisor
Dr. Elen Cutrim
Third Advisor
Dr. Charles Emerson
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
This research focused on fieldwork in geography and science education relative to the high school curriculum. First, the literature was reviewed to analyze the pedagogical and cognitive benefits of using fieldwork and how fieldwork might enrich the high school social studies and science curriculum in Michigan. Second, prairie curriculum resources were evaluated for suitability using the Michigan Education Standards and the National Standards for Geography. Finally, two groups of high school students engaged in fieldwork, using two different methods, photography and sketching, and were compared for their pre and post fieldwork knowledge of prairie ecological concepts. The pre and post tests revealed that of the two fieldwork methods, the photography group showed the largest increases in understanding, however no statistically significant difference was observed.
Recommended Citation
Beilfuss, Meredith L., "Learning in the Prairie" (2002). Masters Theses. 4418.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/4418