NEW APPROACHES TO EFFECTIVE TEACHING IN THE GEOSCIENCES

Effective teaching requires an instructor to understand and be responsive to a variety of student learning styles and to be willing to use new and innovative methods of teaching that recognize these various styles. Geoscience teaching at McMaster University uses problem-based and inquiry-based teaching methods to address the needs of a range of student learning styles. Effective teaching of geoscience also involves engagement of students in activities related to the learning experience through ‘hands on’ field or lab exercises.

Problem-based learning involves students being supplied with a problem or real world scenario to investigate or address through the process of locating appropriate resources, analyzing and synthesizing data and communicating the results. This type of learning experience often occurs in small group format and can occur in both the lecture and lab setting. An example of a problem-based learning exercise used in the second year Earth History course at McMaster is the ‘Create an Island’ lab. In this lab groups of students are asked to create their own island complete with geologic map, stratigraphic column and detailed geologic history. Each group of students is also required to produce a poster and make an oral presentation to the class describing their island.

Inquiry-based learning involves students creating research questions, locating resources to address the questions, communicating the results of their investigation and evaluating their results. This type of learning can be introduced in the classroom by delivering lectures as a series of questions, by conducting in-class debates and small group exercises. One type of inquiry-based lab exercise used in a first year course involves the creation of research questions on a particular topic (e.g. earthquakes) and written answers to those questions. Independent research projects conducted by senior undergraduate students are also considered as inquiry-based learning exercises.

The many advantages of incorporating innovative methodologies in geoscience teaching include enhanced student participation and retention of material learned, increased opportunities for students to apply their own learning styles, development of self confidence and instructor engagement and development.