TOP-LEVEL VIEW OF ONLINE EARTH SCIENCES EDUCATION AT WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY

Since 2017, Western Governors University has implemented significant changes to Earth Sciences Education programs and courses covering geosciences content. WGU is a private non-profit university specializing in online competency-based education with in-classroom student teaching experience. This presentation will overview WGU as an institution, then look at program and course redevelopment, concluding with student and faculty data for continual self-improvement.

WGU Teachers College prepares teacher candidates for initial licensure, either through a Bachelor’s Degree in Education or a Master of Arts in Teaching. Teachers of record may earn Master of Arts in Science Education or related degrees. WGU educates students from all 50 states, US territories and military bases, each with differing teacher licensure criteria. Fully accredited by CAEP and AAQEP, WGU maintains strict graduation requirements including edTPA and disciplinary Praxis exams for all licensure programs regardless of home state.

Earth Sciences Education program redevelopment started with identifying professional competencies, then developing learning objectives for each course, and locating learning resources to meet student needs. Program pathways are non-elective; WGU students must demonstrate competency through performance-based tasks and/or objective assessments in all courses. Science pedagogy is requisite in all secondary science education degree programs. Three-dimensional learning strategies based on the National Research Council’s A Framework of K-12 Science Education and 5E lesson planning are core components of both initial licensure and advanced programs.

Student data by program and by course will be shared to illustrate challenges and adaptations to fully online Earth Sciences education, including content rigor. Faculty data will demonstrate personal accountability to student success.