Despite recognition of soil as a major global natural resource and longstanding policy recognition of its importance for understanding environmental systems and stewardship in a rapidly urbanizing world, soil science has been under-represented in teaching National Curriculum in UK schools. Alongside concerns about declining student participation in science education, a key challenge is how to effectively engage students and address inadequacies in soil education. A UK government-funded initiative led to Soil-Net, an innovative, open, online soil educational website resource to support school curricula. Following a decade of online availability, this paper analyses website data on the adoption, use and impact of Soil-Net 2006-2016. First, data analysis based on geo-identification of over a million and a half users revealed patterns of adoption and usage by territory. Though originally targeted in the UK, Soil-Net is now being used worldwide in 223 countries and territories. Second, analysis of student scores on soil science knowledge quizzes available to be used alongside school education and curricula assessments, provided evidence of student learning supported by Soil-Net resources. Third, analysis based on user ratings and qualitative feedback revealed good satisfaction ratings by primary and secondary school students, teachers and parents. Usage data analysis offers an initial evaluation of Soil-Net, although further research is required to evaluate support for curricula and student learning. Next steps include development of website resources using innovative pedagogies to ensure applicability and sustainability, and research to further evaluate how Soil-Net is used in schools, and its contribution to soil science teaching and learning.

中文翻译：

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土网

尽管人们承认土壤是一种主要的全球自然资源，并且长期以来的政策认可其在快速城市化的世界中理解环境系统和管理的重要性，但在英国学校的国家课程教学中，土壤科学的代表性不足。除了担心学生对科学教育的参与度下降之外，一个关键的挑战是如何有效地吸引学生并解决土壤教育的不足之处。英国政府资助的一项倡议促成了 Soil-Net，这是一个创新、开放的在线土壤教育网站资源，用于支持学校课程。经过十年的在线可用性，本文分析了有关 Soil-Net 2006-2016 的采用、使用和影响的网站数据。第一的，基于对超过一百万半用户的地理识别的数据分析揭示了各地区采用和使用的模式。虽然最初针对英国，但 Soil-Net 现在已在全球 223 个国家和地区使用。其次，对可与学校教育和课程评估一起使用的土壤科学知识测验的学生分数进行分析，提供了土壤网资源支持的学生学习的证据。第三，基于用户评分和定性反馈的分析显示，中小学生、教师和家长的满意度评分良好。使用数据分析提供了对 Soil-Net 的初步评估，但需要进一步研究来评估对课程和学生学习的支持。