A SEDIMENTOLOGY COURSE PACKET FOR STUDENT-CENTERED LEARNING: TRANSITIONS FROM TOOLBOX TO PROBLEM SOLVING

Effective educators help students take responsibility for their own learning. However, without a framework to facilitate this learning, many students are overwhelmed by or unable to achieve such a goal. It is often ineffectual to expect a student to take charge of their own learning without stimulant. In our experience, applicable laboratory and field exercises are an effective vehicle for this stimulation. Therefore, we have developed a systematic approach to the junior-level sedimentology and stratigraphy. The principles taught in this course are the foundation for the problem-solving skills that many of our graduates use every day as professionals. We have compiled a laboratory manual that will act as the framework for student-centered learning in this course. This manual includes lab exercises, reading guides, assignments, supplements to the text, and a glossary. The packet features many newly-drawn figures. Our hope is to approach the subject matter in a logical way that will rapidly facilitate the transition from concept learning to application—from toolbox to problem solving. The activities that this manual contains are applicable to both the academic and the industrial spheres. They are meant to be a catalyst in arousing the students’ curiosity and prompting further investigation. When given the proper framework and incentives, students will quickly progress from learners to investigators.