Geological Society of America

T67 Digital Poster Session: Training Preservice Teachers to Apply Digital Technology across the Geoscience Curriculum (Posters)

Sunday, 25 September 2016
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Exhibit Hall E/F

VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS AS GATEWAYS TO FIELD-BASED EXPERIENCES IN GEOSCIENCE AND PRESERVICE EDUCATION COURSES

Paper number: T67-16
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Authors

Jennifer Piatek Presenting Author
Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT
Ivan Carabajal
University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
Eric Pyle
James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
Christian Thomas
Ohio University, Athens, OH
Anna C. Todd
University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO
Caroline E. Pritchard
Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA
Malea Morris
University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
Steven J. Whitmeyer
James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
Christopher Atchison
Cincinnati, OH
Susan Eriksson
Davis, CA
Anita M. Marshall
James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Abstract

Geoscience students, including those in preservice education programs, benefit from field-based experiences that allow them to explore and apply concepts learned in classes to real-world situations. When access to field sites is difficult or impossible, virtual field experiences can be created using digital imagery such as interactive high-resolution panoramas (e.g., GigaPans) and videos in coordination with digitized maps and satellite images. In addition to traditional exercises presented in classrooms and labs, students can also benefit from generating the material for the virtual field trips by developing well-researched image descriptions and questions related to the concepts presented in images.

We present a set of virtual field experiences developed for and by students involved in our GEOPATH project “Engaging Students in Inclusive Geoscience Field Experiences via Onsite-Remote Partnerships". These exercises, based on locations in northern Arizona, are intended for introductory level geoscience courses and include concepts such as stratigraphy and geologic time (Oak Creek Canyon and the Grand Canyon), volcanology (the San Francisco Volcanic Field), and planetary geology (Meteor Crater).

Virtual field experiences such as the one discussed here are available from the GEODE project (http://www.geode.net). Resources such as this present opportunities for students to explore geosciences concepts in a hands-on way, especially if other obstacles prevent direct access to field sites.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 48, No. 7

doi: 10.1130/abs/2016AM-285445

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