EFFECTIVENESS OF VISUAL LEARNING

At Virginia Western Community College we have begun measuring the effectiveness of Applied Visual Teaching (AVT) methods in introductory geology courses. AVT is a teaching technique utilizing an extensive database of pictures with WACOM tablets to compliment the student's learning of fundamental concepts in geology. The key to AVT is the application of the retained intellectual capital from the course to the student's own geologic setting thereby complementing the understandability of geologic processes. Direct consequences include a heightened interest in learning, improved ability to understand the interaction of processes, and a sense of geologic awareness beyond the confines of the textbook. Resources of the AVT method include:

(1) Web-based course outlines with notes (including pictures).

(2) Web links with extensive picture databases of specific topics

(3) Web-based challenge pictures; by topics with critical thinking problems

(4) Pictures used in testing (5) Student picture project (Pictures with explanation by student)

AVT techniques are currently being refined and used in non-major introductory classes.

At the beginning of the semester Students complete a First Day Survey providing data on demographics, science courses taken previously in high school and college, attitude about studying science and their overall knowledge about basic Earth science concepts. Students also complete the Last Day Survey that contains similar questions to measure tangible changes in the variables. The faculty has been amazed by the results of the students.

The AVT methods can easily be used in large classrooms to enhance the students learning and therefore improve their understanding of important earth-science problems.