Integrating the Petrographic Microscope, Cathodoluminescence, and Digital Image Analysis into the Undergraduate Geology Curriculum: Experiential Learning and Problem Solving

地质学(42)地质学的传统显微镜练习经常迫使学生在使用个人显微镜研究矿物、岩石和结构时陷入孤立状态。小组互动是可能的，但并不容易，因为学生必须轮流看同学的显微镜。互动和参与的课堂环境更有利于学生的学习和分析思维能力的发展。这一提议的智力价值在于重新设计了伊利诺伊州立大学的本科课程，以纳入创新的、基于探究的学习技术，利用偏振显微镜工作站和数字图像。该项目正在改编汉密尔顿学院开发的交互式矿物学和岩石学课程。该项目的目标和更广泛的影响是：1)使学生接触到现代研究和教学设备，2)提高学生的分析推理和解决问题的能力，3)鼓励更多的学生利用岩石学方法从事研究，以及4)鼓励更多的学生在研究生院继续他们的教育，特别是岩石学。为了实现这些目标，我们正在建立偏光显微镜和图像分析的数字工作站。每门使用新的显微镜数字工作站的课程都在开发以探究为基础并强调批判性思维的合作学习练习。学生们正在用显微镜和视频监视器进行工作，以提供实时图像。这些工作站还配备了一台数码相机，用于捕捉静止图像以供后续分析，并用于课堂演示。用于阴极发光工作的发光镜也被包括在课堂活动中，让学生接触到另一种检查岩石和矿物纹理的技术。该项目的这一方面是调整由大谷州立大学帕特里夏·维迪奇制定的战略(国家科学基金-9650073)。

Geology (42) Traditional microscopy exercises in Geology often force students into isolation as theystudy minerals, rocks, and textures using individual microscopes. Group interaction is possible, but not easy, as students must take turns looking into classmates' microscopes. An interactive and engaging classroom environment is more conducive to student learning and the development of analytical thinking skills. The intellectual merit of this proposal is to redesign the undergraduate curriculum at Illinois State University toincorporate innovative, inquiry-based learning techniques utilizing polarizing microscope workstations and digital imagery. This project is adapting the interactive mineralogy and petrology program developed at Hamilton College. The goals and broader impacts of the project are: 1) to expose students to modern research and instructional equipment, 2) to enhance student analytical reasoning and problem solving skills, 3) to encourage more students to engage in research utilizing petrographic methods, and 4) to encourage a higher percentage of our students to continue their educations at graduate school, particularly in petrology.In order to achieve these goals, we are establishing digital workstations for polarized light microscopy and image analysis. Each course using the new microscopy digital workstations is developing cooperative learning exercises that are inquiry-based and emphasize critical thinking. Groups of students are working with a microscope and video monitor to deliver a live image. These workstations also are equipped with a digital camera to capture still images for subsequent analysis and are being used for in-class presentations. A Luminoscope for cathodoluminescence work is also being included in classroom activities to expose students to an additional technique for examining rocks and mineral textures. This aspect of the project is adapting strategies developed by Patricia Videtich at Grand Valley State University (NSF-9650073).