Earth's Surface Features Lecture Tutorial
This material was originally created for
On the Cutting Edge: Professional Development for Geoscience Faculty and is replicated here as part of the SERC Pedagogic Service.
Summary
Students work in pairs on this worksheet and strengthen their background knowledge by identifying
different features in photographs of Earth's surface. Then to build on this base, the students
determine the key processes that form each of the features. To address a common misconception,
students read a debate between two hypothetical students and determine which student is stating the
scientifically correct idea. The activity is summarized by a question posed about the features on a
hypothetical planet.
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Learning Goals
Students will be able to describe the processes that form different features on a planet, and then
relate how those features can give information about that planet. Higher-order thinking skills
include critical thinking and formulation of hypotheses. Students also learn skills of groupwork.
Context for Use
This activity can be used in an introductory physical geology course, astronomy course, or planetary geology course of any size with no special equipment necessary. Students need to be able to recognize different surface features and determine what processes were necessary for their formation. Students in groups complete this 10-15 minute Lecture Tutorial worksheet after a short lecture on the topic during class. Lecture Tutorials are most effective when used frequently in a course. Read more about how to use Lecture Tutorials
Description and Teaching Materials
Earth's Surface Features Lecture Tutorial worksheet (Acrobat (PDF) 566kB Jan13 09)
Teaching Notes and Tips
For full discussion of how to use Lecture Tutorials, please check the Lecture Tutorials Main Page
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Assessment
Lecture Tutorial worksheets are designed to help student confront their misconceptions, but
generally they are not graded. Selected questions are reviewed and answered by the instructor
during class. Rather than grade the Lecture Tutorials, exam questions covering that material can be
used as assessment.
References and Resources
For resources, please check the Lecture
Tutorials References Page