Integration of Computing into the Geology Undergraduate Curriculum

本项目涉及将计算机应用于本科地质学课程中广泛的课堂设置所需的几项设备。这个项目有两个主要部分。一种是利用计算机辅助学习的方法，特别强调在大型介绍性服务课程中激励非科学专业学生的问题。这方面包括计算机化的讲座演示，学生可以稍后在网上复习，以及相关材料，如词汇表、学习指南和旧的考试。更重要的是互动部分，包括自我评分练习测验，旨在促进对地质观测的解释而不是死记硬背的计算机练习，以及互联网上的课堂讨论。类似的计算机辅助学习方法也被应用到为地质学专业设计的课程中。该项目的第二个主要方面是为学生提供计算机应用方面的广泛培训，类似于他们作为专业地质学家所使用的培训。为了取得这一成就，已经开设了一门必修课——地质学中的计算机方法，涵盖计算机基础知识（DOS、Windows、UNIX、电子邮件和因特网）和一些应用程序。应用程序包括使用AutoCAD和几个AutoCAD插件程序的电子表格和计算机制图。大多数后续的专业课程都有广泛的实验项目，这些项目将应用于各种地质问题。此外，学生们正在发展足够的通用计算机专业知识，使高级专业课程的教师能够轻松地介绍新的、特定学科的程序，例如观察晶体结构或模拟地下水流动。这项工作可以通过口头或书面介绍该方法的基本原理，以及书面的实验材料来传播，这些材料可以作为计划实施相同方法的其他人的详细指导方针。

This project deals with several items of equipment required to apply computing to a wide range of classroom settings within the undergraduate geology program. There are two main parts of the project. One utilizes the methods of computer-assisted learning, with particular emphasis on the problem of motivating non-science-majors in large, introductory service courses. This aspect includes computerized lecture presentations that students can later review on-line, along with related materials such as glossaries, study guides, and old exams. Even more important is the interactive component that includes self-grading practice quizzes, computer exercises geared at promoting interpretation of geological observations as opposed to memorization, and class discussions on the Internet. Similar computer-assisted learning methods are also being applied to courses designed for geology majors. A second major aspect of the project involves providing majors with extensive training in computer applications similar to those they will use as professional geologists. For this accomplishment, a required course, Computer Methods in Geology, has already been instituted to cover computer basics (DOS, Windows, UNIX, e-mail, and the Internet) and several applications programs. Applications include spreadsheets and computer mapping using AutoCAD and several AutoCAD add-in programs. Most subsequent major courses have extensive lab projects in which these same programs are applied to a variety of geological problems. In addition, students are developing enough general computer expertise that instructors of upper-level major courses are easily able to introduce new, discipline-specific programs, such as for viewing crystal structures or modeling groundwater flow. This work can be disseminated by oral or written presentations of the basic principles of the approach as well as by written lab materials that serve as detailed guidelines for others planning to implement the same methods.