Collaborating and Developing the SatSchool OERs
This blog post is a bit different, as it is co-written by both myself (Molly) and Alyssa. We both worked together on the resource, sharing the Earth Observation module. Alyssa developed three versions of the Hands on Data Module, and I developed the Biosphere, Cryosphere, Atmosphere and Oceans Modules.
SatSchool is an Earth Observation outreach programme created by PhD students from SENSE CDT, spanning multiple universities and research groups. The materials they have developed are web-based and are grouped into modules on Earth Observation, Data, Biosphere, Cryosphere, Atmosphere and Oceans. Over this summer, we have been adapting the website content into document form, mostly powerpoint presentations and printable word documents. The aim of this is that such valuable resources can be openly licenced and shared, and are accessible to schools without access to wifi or computers to go around.
This was especially relevant for the ‘Hands on With Data’ Module which was made up of online interactive activities. We wanted to make the module available to schools without the availability of wifi or computers for each child. So we created adapted versions of the activities that were available offline and printable.
This presents the next consideration: a format which was accessible offline. This is also because many schools haven’t the funding or stable internet connection to access these resources on the internet, so the OER should be developed in something which is printable. Redistribution is most rapid online but does not always occur in the digital sphere. Widening participation should be taken into account at each stage of the process. It also means that the learners may have a physical resource to interact with that can benefit their learning style.
This was especially relevant to the ‘Hands on With Data’ Module which was made up of online interactive activities. We wanted to make the module available to schools without the availability of wifi or computers for each child. So we created adapted versions of the activities that were available offline and printable. We communicated with the original authors of the webpages to understand the intended learning outcomes and make sure our adaptations were true to their ideas for the modules.
I thoroughly enjoyed developing each module, and learning about the different media types and how the legislation may affect or be affected by different variations. I also enjoyed learning about the modules themselves: I cannot express how relevant and important each module felt in terms of educating people about climate change, and how each of these different environments are changing. Furthermore, they are by and using real-time research – this feels so exciting and something which we both wished we could have used in my school when I was younger.
Header image is the SatSchool logos, developed and designed by Calum Hoad.