NEW PARTNER: Northern Michigan University

By Chris Flesuras on Monday, September 27, 2010 - Related Tags:- news

I am a science educator from Northern Michigan University. I teach science methods courses (how to teach science), biology courses for teachers, and masters level courses for science teachers in a variety of subjects. I also teach educational technology and Earth science for teachers from time to time. In addition to that, I help people develop curriculum in science. For example, a few years ago I helped NASA develop a unit “Living and Working in Space: Habitat” for their Explorer Schools.

My education looks like this:

BS in Biology, Oklahoma City University
MEd in Gifted Education, Oklahoma City University
PhD in Biology Education, University of Northern Colorado

I was a middle and high school science teacher in Oklahoma, US, for several years where I taught almost every science you can think of: biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, astronomy, meteorology, and general science. My primary area of science is biology with a focus in ecology and I have a cognate (second area) in meteorology. For my doctorate I studied how knowing how science works (science process skills) helps students overcome common misconceptions in science.

In Second Life I manage two islands for the university; Biome and Biome II. These are biology-based islands targeting biodiversity although it is possible that Biome II may become Mars for part of the summer. It’s fun to change things around like that. I use Second Life to teach some lessons for my on-campus students and I teach all my online graduate courses there. This summer I will be teaching a graduate course “Basic Principles of Science” in Second Life. It’s still open for enrollment if any teachers are interested. My avatar name in the adult Second Life is Clowey Greenwood.

I have been doing research on what college students think about using Second Life for learning, and whether it helps them learn. I have several different presentations and publications both alone and with colleagues. I have also given numerous workshops to university faculty members from around the world on how to “do” Second Life – how to get an account, change clothes, walk, fly, search, etc.
I asked to come into Skoolaborate for several reasons. One reason is that, since I teach teachers and many of them are interested in bringing their own students into a virtual world, I thought by being in Skoolaborate I could tell them more about what happens there and even maybe recruit them. A second reason is that I am interested in taking what I have learned about teaching, learning, and building in a virtual world into the K-12 arena to help other teachers. Another reason is to help teachers develop science curriculum for Skoolaborate projects. I plan to be a resource for teachers and students and I really hope they approach me for ideas, help, or even just “build me something”. Finally, I really miss working with K-12 kids and this will give me a chance to interact with them again.