Discusses modifications of the usual lecture approach for a environmental geology course by including class discussion, class projects, and group projects which are designed to help students see the relevance of geology to their lives. Author claims that in this interactive approach both instructor and students become more actively involved in the…

The author describes her use of writing assignments, small-group discussions, note-taking strategies (learning logs), and professional simulations in an introductory geology course. The learning log process consists of note taking on one side of a divided page. After taking notes, students review the notes and record their questions, reactions,…