Integrating research infrastructure into education – bringing ocean observations to the classroom

Title

Integrating research infrastructure into education – bringing ocean observations to the classroom

Author(s)

Ms Katherine Tattersall, Dr Roger Proctor, Mr Sebastien Mancini, Dr Xavier Hoenner

Presentation Goals

Session attendees will:

• become aware of a source of multi-disciplinary oceanographic data: the UTAS-based Integrated Marine Observing System and online Ocean Data Portal
• understand use of the Ocean Data Portal as a tool in supporting student learning in online and on-campus environments.
• consider how to integrate real-time and real-life data into teaching and learning activities to promote student learning and engagement

Subtheme

UTAS Blended Learning Model

Presentation Type

Spotlight on Practice

Keywords

data, high quality resource, multi-disciplinary

Room

Social Sciences 210

Time

12.45-13.45

Abstract

The University of Tasmania based Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) is collecting unprecedented volumes of multi-disciplinary oceanographic data in the ocean and on the continental shelf which is made freely available through the IMOS Ocean Data Portal. IMOS frequently runs 'data user workshops' throughout Australia to introduce scientists and managers to the wealth of observations available at their fingertips. Our goal is to provide an intuitive, three-step process for online data access that requires little to no face-to-face training, and with online support (help pages, email support and access to data interrogation tools). The IMOS Ocean Data Portal is an excellent blended-learning tool that gives students direct online access to ongoing high quality observational datasets. It has been used by University Tasmania lecturers as a tool for face-to-face and self-paced learning in the Antarctic Ecology course. Activities and assessment involving the Ocean Data Portal contributed to four of five Learning Outcomes for the course, demonstrating a successful blend of theoretical understanding of Zooplankton ecology and practical application to answer scientific questions using real data extracted from archives using the online tool. IMOS has also been integral to a combined university graduate program at the Sydney Institute for Marine Science. This presentation will introduce the richness of the UTAS-based Integrated Marine Observing System and online Ocean Data Portal and demonstrate the portal as a tool for online and classroom learning.