ONLINE GEOSCIENCE LAB COMPONENTS USING GIGAPIXEL IMAGERY

With the demand for more online geoscience courses increasing, the need for laboratory components online increases as well. These laboratory components may be fully online or simply provide technology-assisted (hybrid) components. Previously, methods and technology were presented that utilized gigapixel imagery and internet browser technology to present geoscience students with interactive, ultra-high resolution imagery of field locations and laboratory hand-sample specimens. Presented was the conceptual framework for how this technology could be used to allow students to dynamically explore virtual field-trip locations and examine hand-specimens observing an entire range of detail rather than the limited detail of static images, more closely replicating the in-person laboratory experience.

The current work presents a more comprehensive package of gigapixel imagery and internet browser technology that encapsulates the entire student-instructor interaction to form complete exercises that can either provide stand-alone lab experiences or exist as a hybrid component of a traditional laboratory class. Gigapixel-imagery specific Internet browser technology will be demonstrated that closes-the-loop from just a method that looks at pictures to providing learner feedback and gradable assignments. One example to be demonstrated begins with a gigapixel panorama of a field-trip location which the student explores for “easter eggs” embedded by the instructor. The browser technology tracks the students view and can provide, at the instructor’s preference, feedback to the student to reinforce correct identifications or provide feedback to the instructor. Continuing, the student selects a sample from a labelled outcrop in the image and is given access to a hand-sample gigapixel image to investigate the mineral grains and texture using the interactive, dynamic zooming capability provided. Once again, the portion of the image that the student is viewing is tracked and the student can complete assignments that are gradable by the browser technology and the instructor is notified of the results.

Such technology could further be wrapped into cloud-based learning management platforms such as Pearson’s Mastering Geology or Norton’s SmartWork.