Journal Article

Virtual field experiences in introductory geology: Addressing a capacity problem, but finding a pedagogical one

Karchewski, Brandon, Dutchak, Alex, Dolphin, Glenn, Cooper, Jon

2019

Overview

Recent literature has demonstrated the importance of fieldwork in geology. However, as resources become scarce, field experiences are often targeted for cuts. This was the case at the University of Calgary when massive enrollments placed a tremendous burden on resources. In courses throughout, field trips and other excursions were eliminated, making it so students do not have any field experiences until their third year. In response, we have developed three virtual field experiences (VFEs) of geologically relevant locations near Calgary. A burgeoning technology, VFEs offer advantages of convenience and versatility when compared to actual field trips. Our VFEs comprise drone-captured images used to form high-resolution 2-D photomosaics and 3-D computer models. We piloted one VFE in an introductory geology course. We wanted to understand how students engaged with the models so that we could make the VFE as effective as possible. Observing student engagement over two iterations allowed us to make changes to the activity. We found that students had difficulties with the VFE's open endedness. They also demonstrated difficulty with the relationship between observations and inferences. This is indicative of a broader issue with how geology (or science in general) is taught. Traditional instruction in geology places great emphasis on the \"what\" of geology as opposed to the \"how.\" We contend that teaching geology with more emphasis on how geology works will help students develop a better understanding of the relationship between inference and observation, enhancing their fieldwork and their understanding of science.

• Publisher: Routledge,Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subject: Class Size / Classroom Environment / College campuses / College Students / computer modeled landscapes / Computer Simulation / Computers / Conventional Instruction / Course Content / drone photography / Earth science / Educational Quality / Educational Technology / Experiential Learning / Field Experience Programs / Field study / Field Trips / Fieldwork / Foreign Countries / Geographic Information Systems / Geology / Geophysics / Higher education / Inferences / Learner Engagement / Learning / Learning Experience / Natural Resources / Plate tectonics / Process Education / Program Effectiveness / Science education / Science Instruction / Simulated Environment / Spatial Ability / Student Attitudes / Student Participation / Students / Teaching Methods / Technology Uses in Education / Three dimensional models / Two dimensional models / Virtual field experiences