DEVELOPING AN INTERACTIVE GEOLOGIC FIELD GUIDE FOR GEORGIA USING ARCGIS ONLINE

This initiative allows students an opportunity to understand how the concepts they study in the classroom translate to actual geologic features found in nature. This interactive learning experience coupled with the traditional lecture and lab class, enables students to begin the recognition of the geologic features that may not appear as ideal as the features often pictured in text books. The task of identifying and describing these features facilitates the development of critical thinking skills and problem solving techniques. Students experience field observations by developing, exploring, and describing their interpretations using ArcGIS Online, an interactive online mapping application that allowed students in real time to photograph, describe, map and virtually share their observations and findings with the instructor and peers.

A GIS geology geodatabase of Georgia was developed using ArcGIS 10.2. This geodatabase contains fields designed to store information about rock types, age, fossil contents, physiographic provinces, and geologic structures such as faults, dikes or folds.

An online group was created for Introductory Physical Geology classes using ArcGIS Online. Each student was assigned an iPad tablet through DETI (Distance Education & Technology Integration) summer grant at University of North Georgia. Students downloaded the ESRI GeoCollector App onto these iPads.

Students researched and visited several geologic outcrops and collected data utilizing the versatility of the iPad or their smartphones. Students populated the fields of the geodatabase at each site based on their knowledge obtained from the classroom. The collected data, a photo of the geologic feature and a description based on their understanding was uploaded into ArcGIS online. This online map and corresponding database is immediately shared with the instructor and all students in the class.

Three objectives were considered for this project: i) to provide students with a field trip experience, ii) to provide an interactive field guide for students and everyone who is interested to know more about the geology around them, iii) build a new and expanding geological geodatabase. This information will be shared with other faculty and students across Georgia which will allow for them to provide their own contributions.