Inventions and Impact 2: Building Excellence in Undergraduate ...

Poster Abstracts
Geological Sciences
Poster 244
Pi: Mohamed Abdelsalam
institution: University of Missouri–Rolla
title: Cyber-Mapping for Teaching Undergraduate
Geoscience Courses
ProjeCt #: 0719816
tyPe: Phase I—Exploratory
target DisCiPline: Geological Sciences
FoCus: Creating Learning Materials and Teaching Strategies
goals: The project aims at developing cyber-mapping modules for field
methods and structural geology courses for better accessibility to geosciences
topics to all students, but especially to individuals with mobility
disabilities or travel limitations.
methoDs: 1) Create 3D photo-realistic digital replicas of outcrops using an
integrated cyber-mapping system; 2) use these to develop course modules
for teaching topics such as unconformities, faulting, and folding; and
3) use a formative and summative approach to evaluate the effectiveness
of cyber-mapping in teaching 3D concepts.
evaluation: The project will apply both formative and summative evaluation
components through a dynamic and a combination of well-tested
existing tools. We will collect a combination of qualitative and quantitative
data to ascertain the impact of the project on both students’ learning
in geoscience and students’ attitudes toward science. Formative assessments
will help us in adjusting the program by assessing participants’
experiences and understanding throughout the project. The summative
evaluation will determine if international research experience has been
successful in positively affecting students’ learning.
Dissemination: Dissemination is not yet applicable.
imPaCt: The project will demonstrate the effectiveness of the vast growing
cyber-mapping technology in teaching 3D concepts that are difficult to
explain by instructor and difficult to grasp by students. These include, but
are not limited to, primary and tectonic geological structures. Additionally,
the project will highlight the importance of the establishment of a national
cyber-mapping library in which 3D photo-realistic models can be remotely
accessed by all students and virtual field trips (including measurement of
orientation data) can be conducted.
Challenges: There is nothing to report yet.
Poster 245
Pi: Scott Brande
institution: University of Alabama at Birmingham
title: Proof-of-Concept Web-Delivered Exploration and
Production Simulations for the Introductory Geoscience
Laboratory
ProjeCt #: 0341541
tyPe: Phase I—Exploratory
target DisCiPline: Geological Sciences
a142
FoCus: Creating Learning Materials and Teaching Strategies
goals: Goals for this project include 1) improvement of undergraduate
STEM education for students of diverse backgrounds, 2) focus on interdisciplinary,
inquiry-based learning, and 3) increased student appreciation
for, and experience with, use of innovative technologies to leverage the
power of local networks and the Internet.
methoDs: Students will use discovery-based, technology-rich learning
modules in a freshman-level geoscience laboratory. The major module under
proof-of-concept development is a map-based simulation of the oil exploration
game that will be delivered to student teams operating wireless,
handheld PDAs. The game uses an automated, eBay-like bidding system.
evaluation: Students enrolled in geoscience laboratories at University
of Alabama at Birmingham (UBA) are racially diverse and nearly genderequal.
Surveys have been used to collect student interest in, and use of,
computer technology at home and at work. Pre- and post-term surveys
show significant interest in computer technology, less than desired computer
technology skills, and a recognition that knowledge of computer
technology is a critical component of their education. Surveys on geoscience-specific
questions provide a baseline against which to measure differences
attributed to computer simulation experience.
Dissemination: Initial progress was reported in two talks presented at a
Geological Society of America sectional meeting (May 2005). An updated
summary was given as the keynote speech for the education workshop
of the June 2007 Integrated Design and Process Technology international
meeting in Antalya, Turkey. Materials will be posted to the National Science
Digital Library and DLESE.
imPaCt: The project has provided (to date) a “practical, working” experience
to three graduate students, leading to abstract publications and
talks. A new collaboration of the PI and faculty of UAB’s Department of
Electrical and Computer Engineering was initiated by common interests
in computer wireless technology and educational pedagogy. Preliminary
use of the wireless PDAs in the geoscience laboratory shows significant
student interest in mobile technology and the delivery of real-time geoscience
information. Development of web supplements to existing laboratory
activities has extended static textbook content that will be disseminated
via the National Science Digital Library and DLESE.
Challenges: The lack of capable, consistent student programmers has
most hampered system development, thus requiring no-cost extensions
to the project. A new affiliation with the Department of Electrical and Computer
Science has brought a new programmer to the project and initiated
a new collaboration with faculty and graduate students there. Advances in
computer technology have unfortunately resulted in the discontinuance
of the original PDAs. However, improvements to programming languages
and server technology have provided new alternatives for serving webbased
output to existing PDAs.
Poster 246
Pi: Melinda Dyar
institution: Mount Holyoke College
title: Development of a 3D Interactive Mineralogy Textbook
ProjeCt #: 0127191
tyPe: Educational Material Development—Full
Development
target DisCiPline: Geological Sciences
Program Book 2008 Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement (CCLI)