GSA Annual Meeting in Seattle, Washington, USA - 2017

Paper No. 165-4
Presentation Time: 9:00 AM-6:30 PM

GEOCOMEDY FOR TEACHING & LEARNING


FEIG, Anthony D., Department of Geography, Central Michigan University, CMU DOW 276, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859 and BENNETT-HUXTABLE, Timothy A., Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, Los Angeles, CA 90036, anthony.feig@cmich.edu

The geoscience teacher takes on three basic tasks: 1) introducing students to the language of geoscience; 2) addressing misconceptions; and 3) prompting students to apply knowledge outside of the classroom. Humor can facilitate these tasks as an engage (icebreaker), or as part of a formative assessment either in the classroom or in an asynchronous environment. Two sketches of comedic misuse and use of geology vocabulary are presented. The first sketch is a parody of a movie trailer, useful for spotting geologic misconceptions. The second sketch is an engage showing a geologist’s involuntary interactions with geological terminology. The third sketch is aimed at novice students who want to share their recently acquired knowledge of climate change with non-scientists, e.g., family members. This sketch goes beyond the idea of content knowledge and provides commentary and advice on how students can meaningfully engage others on this difficult topic.