Section outline

  • Description:

    This module is both an introduction to this course and an introduction to climate literacy. You will draw upon your previous knowledge and begin to explore climate change concepts and the climate literacy framework.

    Objectives:

    After completing this module, you should be able to:

    • Draw a concept model of Earth’s climate system from previous knowledge.
    • Describe the Climate Literacy 2024 framework and Educating for Climate Action and Justice Guidelines. 

    Assessment:



    Module 1 Tasks:

    • Students must
      Mark as done
      Before You Begin


      FIRST:       Access the "      Climate Literacy Course Journal".

      You need to ‘Make a Copy’ of this Google doc file for your own use (preferred), or if necessary download it as a Microsoft Word document (not preferred). 

      Click on File, then click ‘Make a Copy’ or ‘Download’. You will draft and write/draw your responses to assignment questions and prompts in your own Course Journal Google doc file throughout the entire course. 

      Note that ONLY tasks that require a response or submission are included in the Course Journal doc; you will need to access all the course materials and instructions in the course on the Moodle Learning Management System (LMS).

      At the end of each module, you will submit your Course Journal with the relevant sections completed by either sharing your own Google Doc link or uploading your complete journal as a Word file. You will continue to submit your Google Doc weblink to each of the Moodle assignments (it will be the same web link each time). Assignments will not be accepted as PDF files. 


    • Students must
      Mark as done
      Pre-Course Quiz

      TASK 1: Take the Climate Science Literacy quiz. As you complete the quiz, notice what concepts are a review for you and what is new. Take note of what you would like to explore deeper for yourself as a learner.

      List at least 2 specific topics you would like to know more about and why.  

    • Students must
      Mark as done
      Understanding Global Change

      Hand draw what you know today about how Earth’s climate system works.

      TASK 2: As you watch Science of Climate Change (16:45) 

      - CREATE a hand drawn diagram or concept model that describes  how the Earth’s climate system works. Be sure to start with the sun, a body of water, a section of land and then add many more components that address the Earth Systems including the biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere (if you need support, review My NASA DATA: About Earth Systems Background Information or view pdf). Be sure to link connections, causes and effects, and the many interconnections in your diagram with symbols (e.g. arrows) and label its parts. Throughout this course you will be adding to and editing this diagram as you work through the modules. 


      Scan or take a photo of your diagram and insert it into your Course Journal under Module 1. 


      EXTENSION: Explore the BioInteractive Understanding Global Change Click and Learn tool and all the resources.
    • Students must
      Mark as done
      Explore Climate Literacy and Education Frameworks

      Explore information that is deemed important for individuals and communities to know and understand about Earth’s climate, impacts of climate change, and approaches to adaptation or mitigation; and energy essential principles and foundational concepts for energy education.

      TASK 3: 

      WRITE a reflection (less than 300 words) on the content above addressing these questions: 

      1. How would you describe climate literacy in plain language to a colleague, supervisor, neighbor, and/or friend?
      2. How might you see yourself using referencing, referring to and/or utilizing this framework in your professional, civic, or personal contexts?

    • Students must
      Mark as done
      Explore Educating for Climate Action and Justice NAAEE Guidelines for Excellence

      Published in 2024, these wise practices address our need to move beyond educating about climate change toward educating for climate action and justice. 

      TASK 4: Download the Climate and Action and Justice Guidelines pdf and specifically look at page 33 for the Guidelines Summary.

      Then WRITE a reflection (no more than 300 words) addressing these questions: 

      • Which of the Key Characteristics and/or indicator bullets jump out to you? Why? 
      • Scan through the Guidelines front matter (pages 1-33) and record what patterns and or trends you see throughout the Guide. 
      • Describe how these Guidelines and the Climate Literacy Essential Principles differ and are complementary to each other?

    • Submit Module 1 Course Journal Assignment
      Opened: Monday, 12 August 2024, 7:11 PM
      Students must
      Mark as done

      Submit your completed Module 1 Course Journal.

      • View scoring guide>>
      • You may upload a Word document or submit a link to a Google Doc (preferred). If you submit a link to a Google Doc, adjust the sharing settings so that it can be viewed by anyone with the link. Click the blue Share button in the top right. A new box will open, under Get Link, select 'Anyone with the link'.