Friday (3/12/2010) at noon, 327 HALB, bring your lunch

Dr. Eric Riggs, Associate Professor, Center for Research and Engagement in Science and Mathematics Education (CRESME) and the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Purdue University

Title: "Insights into Field-Based Learning from Geoscience Education Research"

Field-based learning is a crucial part of the education of geoscientists, especially geologists and exploration geophysicists. Despite the central role played by field education, relatively little formal educational research has been conducted to understand how and why this educational setting is so critical, why certain approaches work very effectively with specific audiences but are less successful with others, or how discipline-specific aspects of cognition and problem solving are taught and assessed. Recent advances in geoscience education research have addressed aspects of these outstanding questions. Published and ongoing studies of advanced undergraduates in independent field mapping exercises have demonstrated a connection between features of navigation tracks collected during the field day and successful problem solving strategies. Other research has also shown the effectiveness of the field based learning for non-majors and special audiences, including pre-service teachers and Native American students. Results from work with specialized audiences has shed light on processes and features of the field learning environment that are of use to a broad array of educational challenges in industry and academia. All of our current work in this area is leading toward better optimized field experiences in a variety of applications, and to a better understanding of field learning for geoscientists at all levels