Taking It Outside: Using Tablet PCs to Facilitate Learning In Undergraduate Field-Based Earth Science Courses

Tablet PCs used in undergraduate field courses have changed the way we teach field mapping and data collection concepts. Combining tablet PCs, Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers, Geographic Information System (GIS) software and other analytical software revolutionizes the way we teach in the field and helps students visualize and learn at multiple scales. Having a fully mobile laptop computer that can be written on with the tablet's pen, tablet PCs provide students with the opportunity for experiential learning and research-based inquiry. For example, rather than evaluate land use remotely in a computer lab, we can go with students to a site and field check the data. Students can ground truth in real time, annotate, update and edit their maps using the functionality of the tablet's pen. We highlight three courses in which tablet PCs were usefully integrated with conventional field teaching methods: stream geomorphology, geoarchaeology, and landscape ecology.

Initiated two years ago, we apply a rigorous evaluation methodology to our field-based courses using tablet PCs to assess student learning outcomes. Through the use of pre-course and post-course question sheets, anecdotal evidence, written student comments, and in-class observations, we have effectively redesigned two courses. In these classes we wanted to 1) reduce transcription errors from analog field notes to the computer, 2) increase consistency in learner observations of the same plot or mapped area, 3) increase student spatial literacy, and 4) reduce the time spent collecting data. We were looking for better accuracy and better data collection from using tablet PCs in the field. Overall, the students gained confidence in their technological abilities, saw the value of working as a team and enjoyed using a technology. In all aspects of technology use, the learners felt that they had gained skills. We will discuss our findings to date.