Collaborative Research: An Integrated, Computer-Assisted Approach to Teaching Introductory Geology Laboratory

这个项目是杜克大学和北卡罗莱纳大学的合作成果。目前正在开设一门地质学实验入门课程，强调采用多学科方法利用最先进的信息技术解决地质问题。实验室被设计成利用电子数据库结合更传统的地图和手工样本进行个案研究。每个案例研究都要求学生使用诸如卫星图像、地形图和地质图、横断面、三维动画以及简化的地球物理和地球化学数据等工具来揭示一个地区的地质历史。强调假设的制定和检验。学生们不仅在实际地质问题的背景下学习事实信息，而且还看到地质学家如何使用物理、化学、数学和生物学来研究地球。此外，他们越来越熟悉和适应在用户友好的环境中使用计算机和复杂的数据处理技术。两个机构的研究人员正在设计实验室和演习。杜克大学正在进行软件编程。评价和评估主要利用北卡罗来纳大学的大型入门课程。在过去的两年中，杜克大学的教师和学生已经创建了20多个计算机化的“实地考察”原型，并且已经进行了一项关于如何将实地考察中使用的技术应用于地质学入门教学的试点研究。因此，研究人员能够在开发这门全面的介绍性实验课程时使用已经获得的编程专业知识和课堂测试经验。计划通过几个渠道进行传播，包括：1)在GSA全国会议上举行一整天的研讨会；（二）向全国各地质部门发布公告；3)在《地质教育学报》上发表研究成果；4)产品的商业出版。

9354799 Fullagar This project is a collaborative effort between Duke University and the University of North Carolina. An introductory geology laboratory course is being developed which emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach to solving geological problems using state-of-the-art information technologies. Laboratories are being designed as case studies utilizing an electronic data bank integrated with more traditional maps and hand samples. Each case study requires students to use tools such as satellite images, topographic and geologic maps, cross-sections, three-dimensional animations, and simplified geophysical and geochemical data to unravel the geologic history of an area. Hypothesis formulation and testing are being emphasized. Not only are students learning factual information in the context of real geologic problems, but they also are seeing how geologists use physics, chemistry, mathematics, and biology to study Earth. In addition, they are becoming familiar and comfortable with the use of computers and sophisticated data handling techniques in a user friendly environment. Laboratories and exercises are being designed by investigators from both institutions. Software programming is being carried out at Duke. Evaluation and assessment are primarily utilizing the larger introductory classes at UNC. Duke faculty and students have created over twenty computerized prototype "field trips" over the last two years, and a pilot study of how the technology employed in the field trips can be applied to teaching introductory geology has been conducted. Thus, the investigators are able to use the programming expertise and classroom testing experience already gained in developing this comprehensive introductory laboratory course. Dissemination is planned through several channels including: 1) a full-day workshop at a GSA national meeting; 2) the distribution of an announcement to all geology departments in the country; 3) publication of the results in the Jou rnal of Geological Education; and 4) commercial publication of the products.