Considering climate change through an E-postcard

France, Derek and Wakefield, Kelly (2011) Considering climate change through an E-postcard. In, Haslett, Simon K., France, Derek and Gedye, Sharon (eds.) Pedagogy of Climate Change. Plymouth, GB. The Higher Education Academy Subject Centre for Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, pp. 128-139.

Abstract

Between 2005 and 2009, the Geography and Development Studies department at the University of Chester incorporated the use of an e-postcard assessment into a 20 credit, final year undergraduate (level 6), module ‘Climate change: The recent record and future prospects’. This innovative approach to assessment provided students with the opportunity to work with imagery to design and create their own e-postcard. One slide of a PowerPoint presentation is used to visualise the impact of climate change and is supported by a written executive summary attached to the notes section. This chapter considers the benefits of developing a creative assessment within a traditional non-creative subject such as climate change. Student evaluations used a short questionnaire to assess their perceptions of their learning experience. Overall, the e-postcard assessment is an innovative and valuable opportunity to diversify assessment and encourage students to engage with impacts of climate change. Whilst the students expressed that the use of technology and imagery motivated their interest in the subject, there is a mixed response with regards to enhancing the learning experience. This probably reflects preferred student learning style. However, it is rewarding to see students engage in the issues surrounding a climate change topic and produce an e-postcard, which in some cases has empowered them to send it via email to a world leader.

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