Synoptic meteorology in a blended online environment: Results from UCAR and member university collaboration

In fall 2014, Millersville University (MU) partnered with the University Visits in Scientific Interaction and Teaching (UVisit) program within the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) to teach their senior-level synoptic meteorology lecture-laboratory in a blended format to explore offering upper-level meteorology partially online while accommodating staffing schedules. As far as the authors and many peers interviewed at the time of the course knew, this effort was one of very few blended, upper-level synoptic courses offered at U.S. universities.

What follows summarizes the course format, highlights course outcomes and challenges encountered, and poses thoughts for future online or blended collaborations in upper-level meteorology courses. Finally, UCAR and partner efforts to enhance university-researcher interactions and support more online offerings are presented.