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Jurewicz-Leighton, Arlene

Senior Faculty
M.S.
Adelphi University
Boston
School Affiliation

Cambridge College School of Education

  • 2002-2008 - through the School of Education affiliation with Jason Academy, a subsidiary of Jason Project/National Geographic, trained and mentored instructors of online science courses for teachers.
  • 2011-present - provide information and ideas for use of the online NSTA Learning Center as an e-text for science education
Academic Focus

Science education and online teaching and learning

Courses Taught

SCI 607 - Structure of the Earth
SCI 609 - Transfer of Energy
SCI 613 - Earth in the Solar System

Education

Sloan-C - online coursework and seminars - developing and teaching online college courses
M.S. - Adelphi University - Learning theories/special education
B.S. - State University of New York at Oswego - Science education

Insight

Using my decades of experience teaching online I believe developing credibility and benevolence is key. It takes a great deal of thoughtful organization to develop a virtual learning environment for my students (a sense of place in virtual space) who I work with in courses. I ask my students to visualize a virtual round table around which we are all sitting. I ask them to consider that we come with different experiences and understanding of the science content and pedagogy. We come with different abilities to work with the technology of the course. Together we can increase each other's competencies in these areas. My role is to help facilitate that process.

Professional Experience

Virtual educator and consultant for the use of media and collaborative learning environments in online science education.

  • NSTA online advisor - providing online support and professional development for science educators https://learningcenter.nsta.org/help/OnlineAdvisors/bio.aspx#Leighton - her use of the NSTA Learning Center in her graduate science courses has been viewed as an asset by the many science education pre- and in-service educators taking online courses.
  • e-Mentoring online facilitator of mentors
  • e-Mentoring - nsta.org - Mentoring new science teachers in science content and pedagogy in an online professional community
  • PRISMS consultant/analyst/supervisor/presenter
Awards & Recognitions

National Certification Science E-Mentor 2011
EdNet Pioneer Award Tech Education Innovation, Jason Academy, 2008

Research & Publications
  • MMSA and PUC development of standards based curriculum reviewer Energy and energy resources for K-12 classrooms in Maine
  • Global system science - Reviewed pilot curriculum for Energy Resources and Uses and Energy Flows
  • Jason curriculum reviewer for Monster Storms, Mars Earth Connection and Disappearing Wetlands publications
Selected Presentations

National Science Teachers Association Conference: Presenter PRISMS, national and regional conferences
National Science Teachers Association Conference: Invited panelist ISTE Tech Savvy Science Educators national conference, Boston
National Science Education Research conference presenter: Collaborative Learning Online - University of Maine
Jason Academy trainer: Facilitation Skills for the Online Learning Environment, Washington, DC

Professional Memberships & Affiliations
  • National Science Teachers Association
  • International Society for Technology in Education
  • North American Council for Online Learning