MULTIMEDIA COMPUTER MODULES – INCORPORATING FACTUAL GEOSCIENTIFIC EDUCATION INTO ENJOYABLE, DIVERSE, USER-CONTROLLED MATERIALS

How can the allure and magnificence of geologic processes and products be captured in factual and appealing educational materials? One popular and emerging technique is to create multimedia, educational computer modules that can be accessed with CD-ROMs, DVDs, and websites, as well as incorporated into other software programs and presentations. Multimedia technologies include videos, animations, interactive games, voiceover recordings, still imagery (photographs, charts, graphs, etc.), music, and the use of publicly available geologic software. As we look to the younger generation, we see some outstanding technical competencies, particularly related to computer skills. Can we capitalize on those proficiencies while stimulating more interest in geoscience education?

The creation of multimedia, educational modules allows the basics of geology and related sciences to be presented in a diverse, user-controlled manner. Existing materials that are popular in educational repertoires can be recast in various combinations of multimedia applications, infusing them with movement, noise, color, and humor, all desirable factors for the average student. Attracting younger people to the geologic profession challenges us, as geoscientists, to communicate with vibrancy those concepts and questions that provide the excitement and curiosity in our own lives.

Examples of technical modules developed for several natural resource industries will be selected and enhanced to demonstrate their application to geoscience education in the National Parks. Specialized local modules, developed in combination with broader regional modules, could be distributed in parks on interactive touch screens, CDs, or shown in theater presentations.