ENGAGING INTRODUCTORY GEOSCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS WITH VIRTUAL FIELDTRIPS

Fieldtrips can be used in a variety of ways to engage both geoscience majors and non-majors. A decline in the available funding combined with increasing liability concerns have reduced, if not eliminated, geoscience fieldtrips in science departments. Virtual fieldtrips are an alternative that can be used both in and out of the classroom, or as part of an online distance learning program. Virtual fieldtrips for introductory physical, historical, and environmental geology courses will be highlighted to include method of construction, pedagogy, and student learning. Some of the approaches to using virtual fieldtrips will include problem-based learning, 5E, scaffolding/modeling, and inquiry.