Ocean Crust Ages 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
This assignment is done by pairs of students in class after a short introductory lecture on divergent boundaries. Students work through the worksheet as it guides them towards more conceptually-difficult questions based on a map of the ocean crust ages of the Atlantic Ocean. Students confront their misconceptions and come away with a more scientifically-correct understanding of the pattern of ages of the ocean crust.
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Learning Goals
Students will be able to explain ocean crust ages and their pattern as a result of divergent boundaries, and then make interpretations based on the ages. Higher-order thinking skills include critical thinking and simple map reading. An additional skill is working in groups.
Context for Use
This activity can be used in an introductory physical geology or oceanography course of any size with no special equipment necessary. Students should have a basic understanding of divergent boundaries. 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
Ocean Crust Ages Lecture Tutorial worksheet (Acrobat (PDF) 142kB Jul13 12)
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