ERIC Number: EJ1329559
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1089-9995
EISSN: N/A
Worldbuilding from Tectonic First Principles: Integrating and Challenging Undergraduate Knowledge through a Course Project
Schoenbohm, Lindsay M.; McMillan, Mitchell
Journal of Geoscience Education, v70 n1 p56-72 2022
In this integrative, team-based capstone project, students in an upper year Tectonics course built a planet of their own design from the basic concepts of plate tectonics. They created a tectonic map complete with plate boundaries, continental-ocean boundaries, motion vectors, and hot spot traces. In subsequent weeks, students produced a geologic map illustrating features that were a consequence of decisions made in creating their tectonic map. Students designed their own legend and determined the specificity or generality in which they conveyed geologic features at the scale of their map. Students also created a physiographic map reflective of the geology of their planet. Evaluation of student artifacts indicates the project was successful in meeting learning outcomes that challenged students to think in three-dimensions and over geologic timescales, and to develop problem-solving skills; a learning outcome of integrating knowledge from other courses was also met, but to a lesser degree and with more variability among teams. With minor adjustments, this project could be implemented in any tectonics course, or in other subjects including oceanography, atmospheric science, or paleontology.
Descriptors: Undergraduate Students, Plate Tectonics, Capstone Experiences, Maps, Geology, Student Evaluation, Outcomes of Education, Problem Solving, Prior Learning, Teamwork, Course Descriptions, Decision Making, Spatial Ability, Foreign Countries, Classification, Scoring Rubrics
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada (Toronto)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A