Creating and Assessing Effective Uses of Digital Outcrop Models in Undergraduate Geoscience Education

可视化和空间思维是STEM领域的基本技能。利用地面激光雷达（光探测和测距）激光扫描等新兴技术创建的数字露头模型（dom）是地球科学重大新进展的基础，但我们目前对如何将这些资源用作支持可视化和空间思维的学习辅助工具缺乏充分的了解。该项目通过研究先进的视觉教具在地球科学教育中的有效性来解决这一知识差距。三维的交互式dom被用来创建几个学习模块。犹他州始新世绿河组现有的DOM用于初始阶段的研究，并辅以额外的激光雷达扫描，以利用该技术的最新关键进展。学习练习在入门级地质学课程中实施，并通过跟踪学生在可视化地质关系和提高概念理解方面的进展来衡量其效用。正在建立跨学科合作的模式。这些学习模块，以及为教师用户提供的补充文档，以标准的免费软件格式通过互联网（例如，国家科学数字图书馆）提供。评估结果正在通过出版物和主要国家会议的专题会议在STEM、可视化和地球科学教育界传播和共享。据预测，将独特的互动性、逼真的dom与更传统的现场方法和教学方法成功整合，可以在一系列课堂环境中改善大型和多样化学生群体的学习体验。

Geology (42)Visualization and spatial thinking are fundamental skills across the STEM fields. Digital outcrop models (DOMs) created with emerging technologies such as ground-based lidar (light detection and ranging) laser scanning are the basis of a major new advance in the geosciences, but we currently lack a full understanding of how such resources can be used as learning aids to support visualization and spatial thinking. This project is addressing this knowledge gap by studying the effectiveness of advanced visual aids in earth science education. Three-dimensional, interactive DOMs are being used to create several learning modules. An existing DOM of the Eocene Green River Formation in Utah is being used for the initial phase of research, and is complemented by additional lidar scanning to take advantage of recent critical advances in this technology. The learning exercises are being implemented in introductory level geology classes, and their utility is being measured by tracking student progress in visualizing geologic relations and improved conceptual understanding. A model for interdisciplinary collaboration is being established. The learning modules, with supplementary documentation for faculty users, are available in a standard freeware format via the internet (e.g., the National Science Digital Library). Assessment results are being disseminated and shared within the STEM, visualization, and geoscience education communities through publications and a topical session at a major national meeting. It is predicted that successful integration of uniquely interactive, photo-realistic DOMs with more traditional field methods and teaching approaches can improve the learning experience for large and diverse student groups in a range of classroom settings.