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William “Bill” Dennison,
Vanessa Vargas-Nguyen,
and
Richard Arnold
Imagine if you had the tools that would galvanize volunteers to protect their local river, inspire politicians to fund restoration activities, or stimulate engineers to devise ways to reduce pollution. Socio-environmental report cards synthesize data from scientists and volunteers and convert it into an image-rich format that is easily accessible to a wide stakeholder audience.
Read more
Imagine if you had the tools that would galvanize volunteers to protect their local river, inspire politicians to fund restoration activities, or stimulate engineers to devise ways to reduce pollution. Socio-environmental report cards synthesize data from scientists and volunteers and convert it into an image-rich format that is easily accessible to a wide stakeholder audience.
Read more
Imagine if you had the tools that would galvanize volunteers to protect their local river, inspire politicians to fund restoration activities, or stimulate engineers to devise ways to reduce pollution. Socio-environmental report cards synthesize data from scientists and volunteers and convert it into an image-rich format that is easily accessible to a wide stakeholder audience.
Report card grades also tap into a powerful human motivator: peer pressure. Civic leaders and community members can compare their grades with their neighbors, and we have learned that these comparisons lead to a desire for better environmental outcomes in their own backyard.
For nearly two decades, our team has worked with local river protection groups to develop comprehensive assessments of iconic ecosystems like the Chesapeake Bay (United States of America) and the Great Barrier Reef (Australia). These socio-environmental report cards have been used to catalyze improvements in ecosystem health, motive cooperative problem-solving, guide restoration efforts, and stimulate relevant research.
We can no longer be content to just study environmental or natural resource-related problems. The challenges and negative environmental impacts of climate change and other myriad environmental management issues are upon us. We need to use science to inspire real change. We’ll show you how.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/pp9y9c/storytelling
What's inside
Learning objectives
- How to compare and contrast different environmental approaches and socio-environmental report cards.
- How to critique the different approaches used in environmental assessments and socio-environmental report cards.
- How to create image-rich socio-environmental report cards that are accessible to a wide and diverse audience.
- How to create a reporting framework for a case study to generate a socio-environmental report cards.
- How to compare and contrast different environmental approaches and socio-environmental report cards.
- How to critique the different approaches used in environmental assessments and socio-environmental report cards.
- How to create image-rich socio-environmental report cards that are accessible to a wide and diverse audience.
- How to create a reporting framework for a case study to generate a socio-environmental report cards.
Syllabus
Module 1:
What are Report Cards?
Why Report Cards?
Report Card Application
Read more
Syllabus
Module 1:
What are Report Cards?
Why Report Cards?
Report Card Application
Read more
From Qualitative to Quantitative
Distilling Data
Incorporating New Indicators
Evaluation of Report Card Impacts
Module 2:
Report Card Process
Enabling Conditions
Stakeholder Analysis
Project Planning 1
Project Planning 2
Workshop Planning
Facilitation and Engagement
Module 3:
Identifying Values and Threats
Identifying Indicators
Indicator Qualities
Defining Thresholds
Calculating Scores and Grades
Gaining Stakeholder Consensus
Module 4:
Communication strategies
Communicating Results
Designing Report Cards
Stakeholder-led Approach
Optimizing Collaborations
Systems Modelling
Module 5:
Overcoming Barriers
Creating and Maintaining Momentum
Dynamic Problem solving
Examples of Great Champions
Adaptive Governance
Theory of Change
Good to know
Good to know
Know what's good ,
what to watch for , and
possible dealbreakers
Teaches how to create image-rich socio-environmental report cards that are accessible to a wide and diverse audience
Explores how to compare and contrast different environmental approaches and socio-environmental report cards
Develops how to critique the different approaches used in environmental assessments and socio-environmental report cards
Taught by William “Bill” Dennison, Richard Arnold, and Vanessa Vargas-Nguyen
Examines how socio-environmental report cards synthesize data from scientists and volunteers and convert it into an image-rich format that is easily accessible to a wide stakeholder audience
Teaches how to create a reporting framework for a case study to generate a socio-environmental report card
Save this course
Save Storytelling with Data using Socio-environmental Report Cards to your list so you can find it easily later:
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Reviews summary
Report card communication
Learners say this course on "Storytelling with Data using Socio-environmental Report Cards" is highly recommended and engaging. It's a good entry-level course for those interested in this field. The course provides valuable insights into developing report cards that can be used to communicate scientific knowledge effectively. The course content is well organized and delivered in an engaging way, and the activities are relevant and diverse.
Activities and lessons are engaging and relevant.
"The course content is well organized and delivered in an engaging way for the learner by having topics covered by multiple different people."
"The activities were relevant and diverse."
"It was a nice and smooth continuation from the data visualisation which was explained in the previous course, developed into the data communication, report card synthesis and the stakeholder management, The best thing about this course was it makes you find your own topic and explore."
Course allows you to work with your own examples and provides opportunities for application.
"Another nice aspect to highlight is that the course also gave me the chance to use my own examples and work as I was learning in different modules; the activities build off of each other and allow the student to follow along as the report card process progresses."
"It has broadend my interests and knowledge."
Covers various aspects of creating and implementing a report card.
"It covers various aspects ranging from selecting indicators, collecting and analyzing data, interpreting results, recommending mitigation measures, to outlining the diverse roles of stakeholders."
"The development of a report card is an integrated approach that considers social, cultural, economic, and political factors to enhance the conditions or grades."
Helps you develop report cards that can bring about change.
"This course really creates the atmosphere for application, by first walking you through the report card process step-by-step and then providing an opportunity to imagine being in the role of report card developer."
"The decades of experience of the instructors and the lessons learned from the case studies include invaluable, real-world experiences that then equip you with the tools to create socio-environmental report cards that can effect change."
"This course provides valuable insights into a novel approach for engaging stakeholders effectively."
Content is well-organized and easy to understand.
"This course has helped me to understand more about representing facts that's backed by observation and evidence in the field, through report card."
"This course really made me feel prepared to be involved in a scientific report card project."
"As a beta-tester of this course, I was happy to see the content not only focused on understanding and building report cards but also included detail on the backend work and the development that goes into this kind of project."
Activities
Be better prepared
before
your course. Deepen your understanding
during
and
after
it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered
in Storytelling with Data using Socio-environmental Report Cards with these
activities:
Review the fundamental concepts of environmental science
Show steps
Reviewing the fundamentals will provide a strong foundation for the advanced concepts covered in this course.
Browse courses on
Environmental Science
Show steps
Review Report Methodology
Show steps
Review report writing skills and methodologies to build a solid foundation for creating socio-environmental report cards.
Browse courses on
Report Writing
Show steps
-
Read introductory chapters on report writing
-
Complete practice exercises on report structure and organization
Read 'Environmental Performance Reporting'
Show steps
Gain insights into best practices and methodologies for environmental performance reporting.
View
Digital Technology and Changing Roles in...
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Read the book's introduction and first chapter
-
Review the case studies and examples provided
Six other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all nine activities
Learn Data Visualization Techniques
Show steps
Explore tutorials on data visualization techniques to enhance the presentation of findings in socio-environmental report cards.
Browse courses on
Data Visualization
Show steps
-
Follow online tutorials on creating charts and graphs
-
Experiment with different visualization tools and software
Data Analysis Exercises
Show steps
Practice data analysis and statistical techniques relevant to socio-environmental report cards.
Browse courses on
Data Analysis
Show steps
-
Solve practice problems on data interpretation and analysis
-
Use statistical software to analyze real-world environmental data
Create a Socio-Environmental Report Card Proposal
Show steps
Develop a project proposal for creating a socio-environmental report card, outlining its purpose, scope, and methodology.
Show steps
-
Identify a specific environmental issue or ecosystem
-
Define the project's objectives and goals
-
Propose a methodology for data collection and analysis
Attend a Report Card Workshop
Show steps
Participate in a workshop focused on socio-environmental report cards to gain insights from experts and peers.
Browse courses on
Skill Development
Show steps
-
Register and attend the workshop
-
Engage in discussions and Q&A sessions
Draft Socio-Environmental Report Card
Show steps
Create a draft socio-environmental report card, including data analysis, visualizations, and recommendations.
Show steps
-
Analyze collected data and identify key findings
-
Develop appropriate visualizations and graphics
-
Write a clear and concise report
Share Knowledge with Peers
Show steps
Mentor or assist other students in understanding report card concepts and methodologies.
Show steps
-
Join or create a study group
-
Offer help and guidance to fellow students
Review the fundamental concepts of environmental science
Show steps
Reviewing the fundamentals will provide a strong foundation for the advanced concepts covered in this course.
Browse courses on
Environmental Science
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
Review Report Methodology
Show steps
Review report writing skills and methodologies to build a solid foundation for creating socio-environmental report cards.
Browse courses on
Report Writing
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read introductory chapters on report writing
- Complete practice exercises on report structure and organization
Read 'Environmental Performance Reporting'
Show steps
Gain insights into best practices and methodologies for environmental performance reporting.
View
Digital Technology and Changing Roles in...
on Amazon
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read the book's introduction and first chapter
- Review the case studies and examples provided
Six other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all nine activities
Learn Data Visualization Techniques
Show steps
Explore tutorials on data visualization techniques to enhance the presentation of findings in socio-environmental report cards.
Browse courses on
Data Visualization
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Follow online tutorials on creating charts and graphs
- Experiment with different visualization tools and software
Data Analysis Exercises
Show steps
Practice data analysis and statistical techniques relevant to socio-environmental report cards.
Browse courses on
Data Analysis
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Solve practice problems on data interpretation and analysis
- Use statistical software to analyze real-world environmental data
Create a Socio-Environmental Report Card Proposal
Show steps
Develop a project proposal for creating a socio-environmental report card, outlining its purpose, scope, and methodology.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify a specific environmental issue or ecosystem
- Define the project's objectives and goals
- Propose a methodology for data collection and analysis
Attend a Report Card Workshop
Show steps
Participate in a workshop focused on socio-environmental report cards to gain insights from experts and peers.
Browse courses on
Skill Development
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Register and attend the workshop
- Engage in discussions and Q&A sessions
Draft Socio-Environmental Report Card
Show steps
Create a draft socio-environmental report card, including data analysis, visualizations, and recommendations.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Analyze collected data and identify key findings
- Develop appropriate visualizations and graphics
- Write a clear and concise report
Share Knowledge with Peers
Show steps
Mentor or assist other students in understanding report card concepts and methodologies.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Join or create a study group
- Offer help and guidance to fellow students
Career center
Learners who complete Storytelling with Data using Socio-environmental Report Cards will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Science Communicator
Science Communicator
Science Communicators use a variety of media to communicate complex scientific information to a wide audience. This course, Storytelling with Data using Socio-environmental Report Cards, can help Science Communicators learn how to communicate their findings in a clear and concise way. This is an important skill for Science Communicators, as they need to be able to translate complex scientific information into language that the public can understand.
Science Writer
Science Writer
Science Writers communicate complex scientific information to a wide audience. This course, Storytelling with Data using Socio-environmental Report Cards, can help Science Writers learn how to communicate their findings in a clear and concise way. This is an important skill for Science Writers, as they need to be able to translate complex scientific information into language that the public can understand.
Environmental Educator
Environmental Educator
Environmental Educators teach people about the environment and how to protect it. This course, Storytelling with Data using Socio-environmental Report Cards, can help Environmental Educators learn how to communicate their findings in a clear and concise way. This is an important skill for Environmental Educators, as they need to be able to translate complex scientific information into language that the public can understand.
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Scientists study the environment and work to find solutions to environmental problems. This course, Storytelling with Data using Socio-environmental Report Cards, can help Environmental Scientists learn how to communicate their findings to a wide audience. This is an important skill for Environmental Scientists, as they need to be able to convince policymakers and the public to take action on environmental issues.
Sustainability Manager
Sustainability Manager
Sustainability Managers develop and implement sustainability programs for businesses and organizations. This course, Storytelling with Data using Socio-environmental Report Cards, can help Sustainability Managers learn how to communicate their findings to stakeholders. This is an important skill for Sustainability Managers, as they need to be able to convince stakeholders to adopt their sustainability programs.
Environmental Consultant
Environmental Consultant
Environmental Consultants help businesses comply with environmental regulations. This course, Storytelling with Data using Socio-environmental Report Cards, can help Environmental Consultants learn how to communicate their findings to clients and regulators. This is an important skill for Environmental Consultants, as they need to be able to convince clients to take action on environmental issues.
Geographer
Geographer
Geographers study the Earth's surface and how it is changing. This course, Storytelling with Data using Socio-environmental Report Cards, can help Geographers learn how to communicate their findings to policymakers and the public. This is an important skill for Geographers, as they need to be able to convince policymakers to take action on issues affecting the environment.
Environmental Planner
Environmental Planner
Environmental Planners develop and implement plans to protect the environment. This course, Storytelling with Data using Socio-environmental Report Cards, can help Environmental Planners learn how to communicate their findings to policymakers and the public. This is an important skill for Environmental Planners, as they need to be able to convince policymakers to adopt their plans.
Climate Scientist
Climate Scientist
Climate Scientists study the Earth's climate system and how it is changing. This course, Storytelling with Data using Socio-environmental Report Cards, can help Climate Scientists learn how to communicate their findings to policymakers and the public. This is an important skill for Climate Scientists, as they need to be able to convince policymakers to take action on climate change.
Environmental Lawyer
Environmental Lawyer
Environmental Lawyers represent clients in environmental cases. This course, Storytelling with Data using Socio-environmental Report Cards, can help Environmental Lawyers learn how to communicate their findings to judges and juries. This is an important skill for Environmental Lawyers because they need to be able to convince judges and juries to rule in their clients' favor.
Environmental Policy Analyst
Environmental Policy Analyst
Environmental Policy Analysts develop and analyze policies to protect the environment. This course, Storytelling with Data using Socio-environmental Report Cards, can help Environmental Policy Analysts learn how to communicate their findings to policymakers and the public. This is an important skill for Environmental Policy Analysts, as they need to be able to convince policymakers to adopt their policies.
Oceanographer
Oceanographer
Oceanographers study the world's oceans and how they are changing. This course, Storytelling with Data using Socio-environmental Report Cards, can help Oceanographers learn how to communicate their findings to policymakers and the public. This is an important skill for Oceanographers, as they need to be able to convince policymakers to take action on issues affecting the oceans.
Environmental Engineer
Environmental Engineer
Environmental Engineers design and implement solutions to environmental problems. This course, Storytelling with Data using Socio-environmental Report Cards, can help Environmental Engineers learn how to communicate their findings to clients and regulators. This is an important skill for Environmental Engineers, as they need to be able to convince clients to take action on environmental issues.
Policy Analyst
Policy Analyst
Policy Analysts develop and analyze policies to address a variety of issues, including environmental issues. This course, Storytelling with Data using Socio-environmental Report Cards, can help Policy Analysts learn how to communicate their findings to policymakers and the public. This is an important skill for Policy Analysts, as they need to be able to convince policymakers to adopt their policies.
Data Analyst
Data Analyst
Data Analysts take raw data and transform it into actionable information to help businesses make better decisions. Courses that help build a foundation in environmental science, and data analysis may be helpful for individuals who want to enter into this career. This course, Storytelling with Data using Socio-environmental Report Cards, does both of these things. It teaches students how to collect, analyze, and present data in a way that is easy to understand. This skillset is in high demand in the job market, and it can be a valuable asset for anyone who wants to work in the field of Data Analytics.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/pp9y9c/storytelling
Reading list
We've selected 12 books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Storytelling with Data using Socio-environmental Report Cards.
Provides a comprehensive overview of environmental and natural resource economics, covering topics such as market failures, environmental regulation, and the valuation of environmental goods and services. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the economic aspects of environmental issues.
Provides a comprehensive overview of environmental science, covering topics such as the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the environmental issues facing our planet.
Provides a comprehensive overview of statistical methods for analyzing environmental data, covering topics such as descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, and regression analysis. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn how to use statistics to analyze environmental data.
Provides an overview of ecological indicators. It would be useful as a supplementary resource for this course, providing additional background on the topic.
Provides a comprehensive overview of environmental chemistry, covering topics such as the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the chemical processes that occur in the environment.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of environmental science. It would be useful as a supplementary resource for this course, providing additional background on the topic.
Save
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of sustainability. It would be useful as a supplementary resource for this course, providing additional background on the topic.
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of hydrology, and how it can be used to solve water resources problems. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about hydrology.
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of limnology, and how it can be used to study lake and river ecosystems. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about limnology.
Provides a comprehensive overview of remote sensing, and how it can be used to study the environment. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about remote sensing.
Provides a comprehensive overview of soil science and management, and how it can be used to improve soil health. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about soil science and management.
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of water chemistry, and how it can be used to study water quality. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about water chemistry.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/pp9y9c/storytelling
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Effort
5 to 8 hours per week for 5 weeks
Level
Introductory
Via
edX
Institutions
University System of Maryland
University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science
Instructors
William “Bill” Dennison
Vanessa Vargas-Nguyen
Richard Arnold
Language
English
Transcripts
English
tl
Good to know
Teaches how to create image-rich socio-environmental report cards that are accessible to a wide and diverse audience
Explores how to compare and contrast different environmental approaches and socio-environmental report cards
Develops how to critique the different approaches used in environmental assessments and socio-environmental report cards
Taught by William “Bill” Dennison, Richard Arnold, and Vanessa Vargas-Nguyen
Examines how socio-environmental report cards synthesize data from scientists and volunteers and convert it into an image-rich format that is easily accessible to a wide stakeholder audience
Teaches how to create a reporting framework for a case study to generate a socio-environmental report card
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