Pedagogic Resources

Pedagogical Approaches and Materials

Teaching with Data from Pedagogy in Action - This is the first page in a module about teaching with data in entry level geoscience classrooms. The module offers background information for teaching with data (what is it, why use it, and how does one use it) as well as a collection of activity examples one can use in their classroom.

Teaching with Data Simulations from Pedagogy in Action - Teaching with data simulations means giving students opportunities to simulate data in order to answer a particular research question or solve a statistical problem. This module explains how to use this technique along with with example activities and classroom tips.

Teaching with Data, Simulations, and Models from On the Cutting Edge - Today's geoscience education reaches beyond the traditional teaching tools such as rock samples and topographic maps. With the addition of computers in many geoscience classrooms and laboratories, faculty have unprecedented opportunity to create innovative learning experiences by bringing real-world data sets and models and simulations of geoscience processes into the classroom. This site provides resources to help faculty use data resources effectively and easily, and contains access to teaching materials and tips from the classroom and literature about the supporting pedagogy.

Geochemical Instrumentation and Analysis from Integrating Research and Education - The purpose of this project is to supply an on-line tutorial of the analytical techniques commonly used to characterize geological materials. The goal is to help novices (e.g. students, or scientists working out of their field) to become critical consumers and producers of data using the arsenal of mineralogical, petrological, and geochemical analytical techniques available.

Integrating Research and Education - This website contains educational modules for use by teachers, students and researchers. These collections offer numerous ways in which digital library technologies can be used to translate exciting new scientific discoveries into effective instructional practice. Examples include Teaching with the EarthChem database, Exploring the Yellowstone Geoecosystem, and Teaching Mineralogy with Crystal Structure Databases.

Teaching with Models from Starting Point - This module covers the technical and pedagogical considerations for how to incorporate modeling activities into introductory geoscience courses, with examples of models for use in the classroom.
Using Data in the Classroom - This is the first page in a module about teaching with data in a variety of geoscience classrooms. The module offers background information for teaching with data, tools and resources for teaching with data, pedagogic resources for teaching with data, and example activities.

Using Data in the Classroom - Data Sources and Tools - This is a browsable collection of sites that provide online or downloadable tools for visualizing or manipulating data or datasets that can be used in the classroom.

Using MARGINS Data in the Classroom - This is the first page in a series developed from a 2009 MARGINS workshop. The MARGINS project focuses on plate boundaries and has designed and evaluated teacher-ready mini-lessons for the undergraduate classroom. The decade-long NSF MARGINS program has generated a wealth of data for use in the undergraduate classroom.

Teaching with GIS in the Classroom from Pedagogy in Action - This module offers background information about GIS, how it can be used in the classroom, why it is useful in the classroom, and a collection of examples and activities using GIS in the classroom.

Teaching Mineralogy with Crystal Structure Databases and Visualization Software from Integrating Research and Education - This page is the first in a series on teaching mineralogy using crystal structure databases and visualization software. This page featuring a list of crystal structure databases may also be useful in a mineralogy course.

Teaching with GeoPads from Integrating Research and Education - This site is designed to help teachers and students effectively and efficiently use GeoPads (portable GIS-based mapping and note-taking computers) in field-based instructional and research activities. This site provides practical advice on selecting software and hardware, accessing and formatting data, and designing and implementing instructional activities. In addition, "best instructional practices" in using GeoPads are described, including learning goals, expected outcomes, and assessment strategies.

Inquiry Page ( This site may be offline. ) This site facilitates discussion of inquiry-based education, sharing of resources and experiences, and exploration of innovative approaches in a collaborative environment. The site provides an online community that uses inquiry-based and collaborative approaches to study inquiry-based learning.

WISE - The Web-Based Inquiry Science Environment (more info) This site outlines a pedagogical approach for inquiry-based activities and provides examples and interviews supporting the model.

Visual Geophysical Exploration Environment ( This site may be offline. ) The VGEE is built on the metaphor of a pyramid, which represents a progression of scientific knowledge that can be used to understand the natural world.

Working Groups and Organizations

• DLESE Data Access Working Group (DAWG): This working group has formed to develop access and tools to support student exploration of data through DLESE. Reinvigorated in Fall 2003, the group is chaired by Bruce Caron and focuses on facilitating discovery and use of geoscience data.
• DLESE For Educators: Teaching with Data: This site provides an overview of DLESE services for educators teaching with data.
• Center for Problem-Based Learning ( This site may be offline. ) Problem-based learning (PBL) is an educational approach that organizes curriculum and instruction around carefully crafted "ill-structured" problems.
  

Publications

• Learning-for-Use: A Framework for the Design of Technology-Supported inquiry Activities (Edelson, 2001) This article discusses a way to integrate the teaching of content with the teaching of process, which have in the past been seen as competing priorities. General guidelines are presented for the design of inquiry activities that support content learning taking advantage of modern technologies.
• Institute for Inquiry (more info) Developed by the Exploratorium, this set of references, publications and web links that provide a theoretical background for inquiry education.
• Instructional Design Models (more info) This site, from the University of Colorado, School of Education, provides references for an extensive set of instructional design models.
• How People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience, and School (NRC, 2000) This book available from the National Academy Press is written to provide educators with an understanding of research results on how people learn and their ramifications for classroom instruction.

The development of this resource collection is a community effort. We invite you to contribute.