Is there an app for that? connecting local knowledge with scientific literacy

Abstract

Mobile digital technologies, including laptops, tablet PCs, and smartphones, are used increasingly for communication, social networking, navigation, research, and documenting everyday life events. Thousands of application software (i.e., Apps) can be downloaded on electronic devices to assist in performing specific tasks such as cooking, birding, blazing a trail, sailing, recording music, and so forth. An important challenge for educators is to explore ways for enhancing classroom instruction, student learning, and achievement through these technologies. In the field of environmental education, there is a trend towards connecting local community knowledge with scientific literacy. Is there an App for that? This chapter explores environmental education projects that employ the use of emerging digital technologies and software applications to help students from diverse cultures connect local knowledge and practices with scientific literacy. After discussing the goal of achieving scientific literacy for all students in the K-12 schools, place-based education projects as part of the GLOBE Program and other projects in Africa and Thailand are discussed to demonstrate how digital technologies can be used to facilitate science learning, curriculum development, and authentic assessment.