STUDENT-GENERATED ANIMATED GIFS AS A STUDY TOOL FOR ROCK AND MINERAL IDENTIFICATION

During an introductory Physical Geology course, students created animated GIFs as a way to help classmates study for rock and mineral identification exams. Surprisingly, internet searches for mineral GIFs produce sparse results that are not useful for practicing identification. The GIF creation was a low-threat requirement (3 points on a 15 point homework) for a mineral report, and students could create another GIF on a mineral or rock as a way to earn bonus points before the rock and mineral exam. Students were given a wide range of options and instructions for creating the GIFs, and all students already had the resources required for generating GIFs on their issued computers. Students shared the GIFs on the web-based course management system, and students still had the option of coming to the geology lab to study hand samples before the exam. To avoid the possibility of students simply memorizing unique features or sample labels, the hand samples used in the exam were not taken from the same rock suites and minerals kits. We will highlight a range of feedback comments, along with a comparison of student test scores from previous semesters without the GIF assignment. Examples of the animated GIFs will be available at the poster.