The H.Y.L.A. Project is the first of its kind online course for educators dealing with amphibians issues and using them as a focus to teach about the environment. During the project, we will connect educators and scientists to study and celebrate frogs and their habitats. 

The logo shown above is a tree frog, member of the Hyla genus, holding a globe. However, in this project we will deal with more that just the Hyla genus. 

Please note: This site is for public consumption only. A similar site is available for the participants in the course. Some of the links are still active here to allow access to different aspects of the course. 

Project Summary: 'A Thousand Friends of Frogs' project developed a pilot course with a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Best Buy Children's Foundation and Hamline University Graduate School of Education. The enhanced course will be offered March through May, 2000 to educators around the world for 2 semester credits.   

The objective for the course is the teach about the environment by using amphibians but particularly frogs as a focus. Participants will learn about amphibian populations, particularly frogs and toads in their local area and around the world. In addition, discussion will be facilitated between participants on how to implement and integrate this project in the classroom and its use in teaching ecological and environmental concepts. While the project headquarters is based in Minnesota, participants will be dispersed around the country.  

The course lasts ten weeks, and uses various aspects of Internet technology and traditional 'paper' based products to complete the learning process. Contact should be about 10 hours per week maximum. Another objective is to learn about the efficacy of this approach to professional development for educators.  

Three topics will be covered in the course--amphibian anatomy and bio-indicators, environmental factors influencing amphibian populations, and global decline. The course is aimed at upper elementary and middle school educators. Teachers are responsible for participating in discussions on these topics throughout the course.

Another Internet-based project, Web Integrated Science Environment (WISE) will be examined towards the end of the course. Click here for more details on that project.   

Dates for Instruction: The course will be divided into three modules. Each will be 2 weeks long with a week in between each module to complete assigned tasks. These tasks are used to assess learning and possible implementation of learning activities.  
Throughout the whole course, teachers will be in contact with each other through a virtual conference center located at Hamline University. The learning for the course will be self-paced although reaction and dialogue will be expected throughout the length of the online course.  

Topics will be covered in the following time line:  
6/30/00 to 7/14/00: Module 1--Amphibian Anatomy and Bio-indicators  
7/24/00 to 8/04/00: Module 2--Environmental Factors and Amphibian Populations (including impacts of humans) 
8/14/00 to 8/25/00: Module 3--Global Decline-Human dimensions of this issue 

Each module will be available on the first day of instruction, i.e. module 1 will be online June 30, 2000. While the course is self-paced, assignments will be posted and due on the prescribed dates. Items (folders) will be located in the Conference Center where assignments can be posted. Remember, discussion and dialogues is a requirement of the course.  

Methods of Instruction: The course will be performed over a number of different way:  
1. Active Web Site  
Contents page for each of the three modules will include: a lesson plan for that module; web links; list of required and optional readings. Content should be covered in about 5-6 hours per week. 

2. Conference Center 
This is a virtual conference center where dialog between participants will be posted. All dialogue is asynchronous in this system, so you can post your remarks and comments to the other participants when it is convenient for you. The dialogue component should be about 3 hours per week. Click here to enter the conference center (Will not be active until course begins). You will need a userid and password to gain access to the dialogue. 

3. Mailings  
a. Information on the H.Y.L.A. Project  
b. Instructions on using the Conference Center  
c. 'A Thousand Friends of Frogs' Educator Activity Guide  
d. 'A Thousand Friends of Frogs' Newsletter and poster  
e. 'A Thousand Friends of Frogs' Video  
f. Newspaper articles showing the succession of theories and events related to amphibian issues  
g. Evaluation forms for the course and the educator guide  

Participant Responsibilities:  
1. Use a number of the existing activities in 'A Thousand Friends of Frogs' Educator Activity Guide in your classroom.  
2. Dialogue through Hamline University's Conference Center. Comment on the required readings for the course.  
3. Develop a project about amphibians to use in your classroom.  
4. Complete the required assignments. 
5. Evaluate the use of technology as a learning tool.  
6. Complete the course.  
8. You will require access to the web for the conference center and to take part in the course. 

Information Page: If you are a participant in this course, you should click here to go to the information page to read more specifics about the course.

Thousand Friends of Frogs
Center for Global Environmental Education
Hamline University Graduate School of Education
1536 Hewitt Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104-1284
Phone: 651-523-2480 Fax: 651-523-3041
© 1999 CGEE. All Rights Reserved.

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