This pilot project will provide a framework for further enhancements and will serve as a benchmark to compare more advanced versions in terms of the effectiveness of the pedagogical design. Any is taking a Mesoscale Dynamics class. A consequence of this activity is the occurrence of informal interactions between Andy and various students in the undergraduate and graduate meteorology program. John Feldt, the MIC, visited the orientation class for new meteorology students at the beginning of the fall semester. Early versions of this spotter-training project have been a basis for discussing applications of physics to atmospheric processes.
PAGE is a resource and clearinghouse for undergraduate geoscience education.
The evaluation stage is more difficult in the NWS spotter training environment than in the university environment because spotter training is more infrequent. It is important to receive feedback from actual trainees for changing the materials to be effective for the target audience. One suggestion would be to have the project extend beyond one year. This would allow feedback to help guide the development. Use of the Internet for training and instruction has advanced rapidly in the university environment during the past two years.