SPATIAL, STRUCTURAL, & TEMPORAL ANALYSES IN THE GEOLOGY EXPLORER

Abstract

The Geology Explorer, is a synthetic, Internet based, educational environment (“

Planet Oit

”) where students carry out geologic investigations as a field geologist would. The Interpretive Module of the Geology Explorer provides students with an authentic, spatially oriented geologic mapping experience. New additions in 2003 to the Interpretive Module include the ability of students to: 1) determine structural aspects of tabular units using spatial relationships and interactive measuring tools, and 2) propose a chronology of geologic events for the history of the bedrock terrain. The Geology Explorer can be visited on the Internet at

oit.ndsu.edu

.

Donald P. Schwert

a

, Brian M. Slator

b

, Bernhardt Saini-Eidukat

a

, PI’s Robert Cosmano

b

, Shannon Tomac

b

, Guy Hokanson

b

, and Otto Borchert

b a Dept. of Geosciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND b Dept. of Computer Science, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND Educational Role-playing Games: “Learning-by-doing” Experiences

The Virtual Environment is: •MultiUser •Exploratory •Spatially-oriented The Virtual Environment promotes: •Practical planning and decision making •Problem solving •Investigation of real-world content • Understanding the scientific method •Mature thinking

The Technical Approach

Background

• Similar to Earth, but opposite the Sun •Students “land” on Oit to undertake exploration •Authentic Geoscience goals - e.g., to locate, identify, and report valuable minerals; to create and interpret a geologic map What is “Planet Oit” ?

~50 places: desert, cutbank, cave, etc.

~100 different rocks and minerals ~15 field instruments: rock pick, acid bottle, magnet, etc.

Software Tutors: intelligent agents for equipment, exploration, and deduction • Networked, internet based, client-server simulation • UNIX-based MOO (Multi-User Dungeon, Object Oriented) • Java-based clients Spatial Navigation Using Maps and Rendered 3-D Scenes Timeline: Proposing a Chronology for Geologic Events Initial Instructions Opening Timeline Interface Dragging a Timeline Proposal Measurement of Thicknesses of Tabular Rock Units in a Structural Terrain “Aerial Photo” Outcrop Locations are Shown with Markers Player Creates a Geologic Map Based on Outcrop Locations, and Receives Immediate Feedback

You Are Here Markers Coded to Rock Type Show Location of Identified Outcrops Player Uses Pen to Draw Map Interpretation Automated Assessment and Advice

Proposing a Thickness Measurement on a Completed Geologic Map Automated Feedback, From Which Student Can Now Use Values to Determine True Thickness Freedom of Action Automated Feedback: Incorrect Response Automated Feedback: Correct Response Automated Feedback: Also Correct Acknowledgments

Special thanks are due to John Bauer for Java graphical client development, to Rebecca Potter for graphical development, to Bryan Bandli, Julia Karst-Gray, Ned Kruger, K.C. Vorthmann, Joy Turnbull, Dean Vestal, Mindy Sue Vogel, Jeff Walsh, and Jane Willenbring for geology content development and assessment, to Mark Tinguely, who saved our world when its universe imploded, and to Dave Schmidt for the name: Planet Oit. Geology Explorer research supported by NSF grants DUE-9752548, EAR-9809761, DUE-9981094, ITR 0086142 and EPSCoR 99-77788, and FIPSE P116B011528.