ADJUSTMENTS TO TEACHING GEOSCIENCE IN A CLASSROOM OF ADULT STUDENTS

College-wide changes in course scheduling and learning goals in the author's college have given the author an opportunity to re-evaluate teaching strategies used in earth science courses. Most of the students who take these courses are adult women who are studying for their first degree while working at least part-time. The academic goals of the students lie in K-8 education, criminal justice, human services, information systems, and organization leadership. The new intense course schedules now put a heavy responsibility on students to learn more content outside of scheduled class time. To accommodate the learning style of many of these students, much of the classroom time is now spent on hands-on laboratory exercises, which are all based on cooperative learning. This paper will relate changes that are being implemented in classroom activities, in assessment, and in curricular goals to address the learning needs and professional goals of adult students. Student response to these changes will be emphasized.