Initial Publication Date: November 4, 2009

Spatial Skills in the Geosciences

At the 2009 annual meeting of the Geological Society of America, Cathryn Manduca, Basil Tikoff, Thomas Shipley, and Carol Ormand convened a session focusing on spatial skills in the geosciences. Papers in this session described research on the spatial skills that underpin our ability to learn about geoscience or do geoscience research, as well as educational or technical innovations that develop these skills. Several of the presenters at this session agreed to share their presentations here. The abstracts are available on the GSA website.

Spatial Visualization and the Role of Working Memory (PowerPoint 6.7MB Nov3 09)

SHIPLEY, Thomas, Psychology, Temple University

A Role for Mental Rotations in Field-Based Problem Solving (PowerPoint 5.9MB Nov23 09)

RIGGS, Eric M., Dept. of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and CRESME, Purdue University
BALLIET, Russell N., Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Purdue University

CogSketch: Sketch Understanding for Geoscience Education

FORBUS, Kenneth D., Qualitative Reasoning Group, Northwestern University

Geoscientific Expertise and Spatial Visualization

LIBARKIN, Julie C., Department of Geological Sciences and Division of Science and Mathematics Education, Michigan State University
PETCOVIC, Heather L., Department of Geosciences and The Mallinson Institute for Science Education, Western Michigan University
HAMBRICK, D. Zachary, Department of Psychology, Michigan State University

Finding Fault: Laboratory Experiments and Classroom Studies on Identifying Faults in Images (Acrobat (PDF) 16.7MB Oct30 09)

ORMAND, Carol J.,Science Education Resource Center, Carleton College
GENTNER, Dedre,Department of Psychology, Northwestern University
JEE, Benjamin,Department of Psychology, Northwestern University
SHIPLEY, Thomas F.,Department of Psychology, Temple University
TIKOFF, Basil,Department of Geoscience, University of Wisconsin - Madison
UTTAL, David H.,Department of Psychology, Northwestern University
MANDUCA, Cathryn,Science Education Resource Center, Carleton College

Teaching Symmetry Using Kinesthetic Learning -- An Exercise Using "Old Time" Dances

MOGK, D.W., Dept. Earth Sciences, Montana State University

Eye-Tracking Studies of How Introductory Geology Students Integrate Text and Figures in Textbook-Style Material

BUSCH, Melanie M.,School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University
COYAN, Joshua A.,School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University
REYNOLDS, Stephen J.,Geological Sciences, Arizona State University

Examining Student Interactions with Distractors in Photographs Using Eye-Tracking Technology

COYAN, Joshua A.,School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University
BUSCH, Melanie M.,School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University
REYNOLDS, Stephen J.,Geological Sciences, Arizona State University

Teaching Geology -- The 3D Revolution (PowerPoint 7.9MB Dec8 09)

WARD, Emma, TERRINGTON, Ricky, KESSLER, Holger, MATHERS, Steve, and THORPE, Steve, British Geological Survey

Giga-Inteli-Pixel-Palooza: Creating and Assessing Effective Uses of Digital Outcrop Models in Geoscience Education (PowerPoint 7.9MB Nov25 09)

JOHNSON, Cari, Geology and Geophysics, University of Utah
SEMPLE, Ian, Geology and Geophysics, University of Utah

Note: these two movie files, new_rangecreek.wmv ( 2.1MB Nov23 09) and Lidar_Movie4GSA.wmv ( 5.3MB Nov23 09), should be embedded in this presentation, but you may have to re-embed them or open them separately in order to view them. They belong in slides 5 & 8.

Enhancing 3-D Visualization of Structural Geology Concepts

KARABINOS, Paul, Dept. Geosciences, Williams College

An Analysis of Electronically Archived Student Responses to Text-Only Versus Illustrated Conceptual Questions in Large Earth Science Courses

GRAY, Kyle, Earth Sciences, University of Northern Iowa
OWENS, Katharine, Curricular and Instructional Studies, The University of Akron
STEER, David, Department of Geology and Environmental Science, The University of Akron
LIANG, Xin, Educational Foundations and Leadership, University of Akron

Deconstructing Geospatial Technologies: Considering the Role of Spatial Thinking Along with a TPCK (Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge) Framework

MCAULIFFE, Carla, Center for Science Teaching and Learning, TERC

College Students' Development of Map Interpretation Skills

SEXTON, Julie M., Math and Science Teaching Institute, University of Northern Colorado
REID, Leslie Frances, Geoscience, University of Calgary