3D Geological Models as a Teaching Resource.ppt

? NERC All rights reserved ? NERC All rights reserved 3D Geological Models for Teaching Emma Ward, Hannah Cullen and Leanne Hughes The Potential of 3D Geological Models as a Teaching Resource How can 3D geological models help students learn geology? What geological concepts can the models show? How have 3D models been used in the past for teaching? What do Universities want from these models? How Can 3D Models help Learning in the Geosciences? 3D geological models enable a student to observe, manipulate and interpret geology; in particular the models convert 2D geology (maps, boreholes and cross-sections) into 3D. Models can be used to teach geoscience to students of varying experience and abilities. 3D models as an educational package can easily be utilised by students unable to attend university conventionally. 3D educational geological models can be used repeatedly and in such a way as to continually build on geoscience aspects – this improves geospatial skills. 3D geological models can be compared with that seen directly in the field. Student use of 3D geological models is active and the accompanying educational material deals with authentic, contemporary scientific problems - the student will have to ask questions, think critically and solve problems. 3D models can often be more practical and better financial alternatives to some teaching methods currently employed. Because 3D geological models are a visual tool they will encourage greater understanding of geoscience than text alone. Educational 3D Geological Model Learning Strategy. Based on the 3 common stages of a learning cycle and packaged as a case study: The Exploration Phase: Using a student-tailored user guide let the student learn how to use the 3D model software, then let the student explore the geology shown in the models. The Terms and Concepts Introduction Phase: ask the student: Can they identify certain rock sequences? Can they identify the succession of rocks? Structures or faulting? C