Technology and Meteorology. An Action Research Paper.

Meteorology, the science of weather and weather conditions, has traditionally been taught via textbook and rote demonstration. This study was intended to determine to what degree utilizing technology in the study of meteorology improves students' attitudes towards science and to measure to what extent technology in meteorology increases higher-level thinking skills. Two groups, treatment (n=120) and traditional (n=126), of sixth-grade science students were presented meteorology using differing technologies, activities, and methods. The traditional method of lecture, notes, reading, answering textbook questions, demonstrations, and activities were presented to the traditional group. Instruction and practice using technology was given to the treatment group. Both groups were measured by a chapter test and an attitude survey. The data suggested that technology properly infused in the setting in which it was administered improves attitude and increases understanding. An appendix contains treatment group lesson plans. Contains 25 references. (MKR)