Discusses using web sites to develop active inquiry lessons that mimic some of the tasks and thought processes scientists use everyday. The exercises available at the web sites are designed to develop science process skills and convey basic course content. Exercises stress the interactions between the ocean and the atmosphere. (Author/SAH)

Describes teaching methods used to teach a visually impaired student in an introductory geology course. Methods include meeting with the student and making arrangements to provide all the handouts and syllabi for the course prior to the class; detailed planning of all lectures, class activities, and laboratory exercises; and a mechanism for…

Describes a method used to teach the concept of geologic time to introductory geology students using an inquiry-based approach. Students work in teams to obtain rock samples that are used to interpret the geologic history of a region. (SAH)

Describes a method used to teach the concept of radiometric dating using mathematical equations. Explores the lack of information in textbooks on how to solve radiometric dating problems using mathematical concepts. (SAH)

Discusses how textbooks have shaped students' views toward the geology profession and how these traditionally organized books can be supplemented with John McPhee's writings for the nonscientist. These writings can make students more aware of geology in cultural contexts and of how science is actually practiced. (SAH)

Recognizes the desire to discuss current environmental issues as a significant learning motive. Describes a course in which a student debates facilitate learning. A student moderator conducts debates between two groups of students, and the debates are organized using lecture material, internet searches, numerical analysis, and research projects.…

Discusses the importance of conveying content material in a course while addressing student learning styles. Directs student study time toward major concepts and encourages them to teach themselves some of the material so that classroom time is largely used to explore more difficult material and applications. Emphasizes instructors focusing on…

Uses dartboards to represent magnitude-frequency relationships of natural hazards which engage students at different levels of preparation in different contexts, and for different lengths of time. Helps students to mitigate the misconceptions that processes occur periodically by emphasizing the random nature of hazards. Includes 12 references.…

Uses a laser pointer to demonstrate the analogy between optical and X-ray diffraction and a laser printer with 600 or 1200 dot resolution to create and modify arrays, print them on transparencies, and illuminate them with laser pointers. Includes 14 references. (Author/YDS)

Introduces the analysis of a river as an excellent way to teach geochemical techniques because of the relative ease of sample collection and speed of sample analysis. Focuses on the potential sources of sample contamination during sampling, filtering, and bottle cleaning processes, and reviews methods to reduce and detect contamination. Includes…

Describes summer institutes for urban teachers in Milwaukee that centered on several Lake Michigan beaches within the bounds of their school district. Compares the sand from four different beaches for grain size, magnetite content, as well as fossil and modern Zebra Mussel Shells. Encourages good field trip teaching practices. Includes 19…

Reports that with proper preparation and pre-assessment of student expectations, geoscience courses can be effectively taught with supplementary materials reflecting minority group frames of reference. Indicates that inclusion of environmental justice oriented content may not effectively attract and retain students of color from non-science…

Introduces an entry level mineralogy/igneous petrology course designed for undergraduate students and presents a series of learning activities based on individual and cooperative learning. Includes 18 references. (Author/YDS)

Discusses the issues related to students' alternative conceptions, how these conceptions affect student learning, identification of these conceptions, and teaching methods able to transform students' conceptions into scientific understanding. Includes 20 references. (YDS)

Discusses students' misconceptions on evaporation of water considering the errors in geoscience textbooks. (YDS)