Using WILSIM-GC to Model Rock Erodibility in the Grand Canyon
Kyle Whalley, Geography, Northern Illinois University
This activity was selected for the On the Cutting Edge Reviewed Teaching Collection
This activity has received positive reviews in a peer review process involving five review categories. The five categories included in the process are
- Scientific Accuracy
- Alignment of Learning Goals, Activities, and Assessments
- Pedagogic Effectiveness
- Robustness (usability and dependability of all components)
- Completeness of the ActivitySheet web page
For more information about the peer review process itself, please see https://serc.carleton.edu/teachearth/activity_review.html.
Initial Publication Date: December 15, 2015 | Reviewed: November 25, 2019
- First Publication: December 15, 2015
- Reviewed: November 25, 2019 -- Reviewed by the On the Cutting Edge Activity Review Process
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Cite thisSummary
In this exercise, tudents use the computer simulation WILSIM-GC to explore how the "rock erodibility" of the walls of the Grand Canyon affects the shape and development of the canyon.
Learning Goals
Content Goals
After successfully completing this exercise, students will be able to describe how the "rock erodibility" parameter in WILSIM-GC influences the model output.
Higher Order Thinking Skills
Students formulate and test hypotheses.
Other Skills
Students learn to manipulate the parameters of the computer simulation WILSIM-GC.
Context for Use
Course Type
Undergraduate course in geography or geology
Prerequisite Skills
This is an introductory parameter exercise that requires no additional skills. A basic knowledge of fluvial erosional processes and landform evolution is recommended.
Where this activity fits in the course
This is a stand-alone exercise that can be used as an introduction to WILSIM-GC, a computer simulation. Having completed this exercise, students will be ready to use WILSIM-GC to do more sophisticated activities, exploring and discovering principles of fluvial geomorphology.
Description and Teaching Materials
Assessment
Assess the students' understanding by reviewing their answers to the questions.
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