Actively Engaging Undergraduates in Geologic Problem Solving by Integrating Petrographic Microscopy and Digital Image Analysis into an Earth Systems Science Curriculum

地质学(42)使用由NSF、AGU和Keck联合会联合支持的研讨会(NSF，1996)的建议，西俄勒冈大学最近实施了基础广泛的综合地球系统科学方法来进行本科生地球科学教育，这在俄勒冈州是一个独特的计划。这一最先进的课程转变的主要目标之一是让地球科学专业的本科生参与到“做科学”的过程中(NSF，1996)。这门课程改进项目的主要目标是在新的地球系统科学课程的背景下，采用和实施一种积极的、基于探究的方法来教授矿物学和岩石学。这种教学模式将地质问题的解决与岩相显微镜和数字图像分析结合在一起，开设了一门岩石学入门课程，作为地球科学专业学习地球材料的基础。使用薄片作为地质数据库，地球科学专业的学生熟练地进行观察，识别科学问题，提出可以使用基于计算机的技术进行测试的工作假设，并通过多媒体演示系统和书面报告在班级讨论中为自己的结果辩护。为了实施这一创新的教学模式，将岩相显微镜和数码相机与计算机、数字图像分析软件和一套学生岩相显微镜连接在一起。除了岩石学课程，这种仪器在基础广泛的本科地球系统科学课程中被广泛使用，并被用于推广活动，旨在向K-12学生和科学教育工作者展示令人兴奋的显微镜和数字图像分析世界。

Geology (42)Using the recommendations from a workshop supported jointly by NSF, AGU, and the Keck Consortium (NSF, 1996), Western Oregon University recently implemented a broad-based, integrated Earth systems science approach to undergraduate geoscience education that is a unique program in the state of Oregon. One of the key objectives of this state-of-the-art curriculum shift is to engage undergraduate Earth Science majors in the process of "doing science" (NSF, 1996). The primary objective of this course improvement project is to adapt and implement an active, inquiry-based approach to teaching mineralogy and petrology within the context of this new Earth systems science curriculum. This pedagogical model integrates geologic problem solving with petrographic microscopy and digital image analysis in an introductory petrology course that serves as the foundation for the study of Earth materials in the Earth Science major. Using thin sections as a geologic database, Earth Science majors become proficient in making observations, identifying scientific problems, proposing working hypotheses that can be tested using computer-based technologies, and defending their results in class-wide discussions via multi-media presentation systems and written reports. To implement this innovative pedagogical model, a petrographic microscope and digital camera are interfaced with a computer, digital image analysis software, and a set of student petrographic microscopes. In addition to the petrology course, this instrumentation is being widely utilized throughout the broad-based, undergraduate Earth systems science curriculum and is being used for outreach activities that are designed to showcase the exciting world of microscopy and digital image analysis to K-12 students and science educators.