STUDENTS MAPPING DRUMLINS: INCORPORATING DIGITAL DRUMLIN IDENTIFICATION INTO UNDERGRADUATE TEACHING

Recently, the availability of high quality remotely sensed data in Ontario, Canada has greatly improved resulting in greater inclusion of the data in many research disciplines. This has increased understanding of the spatial distribution of landforms and the processes occurring within different environments, such as glaciated regions. The use of digital elevation models (DEMs) and aerial photography to examine large glaciated areas, such as those found throughout Canada and the northern United States, has increased the understanding of glacial landform distribution and morphology. The use of these datasets, and improvements in processing technology, has allowed for spatial analysis on scales previously unreasonable. Despite the potential of this data type there are many limitations that can impact interpretation and conclusions that are associated with them. In the McMaster University senior undergraduate earth science class, “Glacial Sediments and Environments”, the use of remotely sensed data within glacial geomorphological research was introduced, through an assignment focused on mapping drumlins. Students in the course were provided a dataset that included a 10 m DEM, aerial photo, and hillshades from multiple azimuths. Following a lecture on remotely sensed data as a tool for identifying and assessing the morphology of drumlins students were tasked with manually identifying and digitizing the drumlins within the study area within a GIS environment. This assignment was designed to: introduce students to the different types of remotely sensed data that are available and their benefits and limitations; to exemplify the variability of landforms from their idealized forms; to assess and interpret the geomorphology of a region based on remotely sensed data; and show the impact of manual interpretation and user bias in manually mapped landforms. Over the five years, 100 examples of student interpreted landforms have been collected and compiled. The compiled map highlights the impact of user interpretation on landform delineation. This assignment is completed at the beginning of the semester and provides a basis of understanding that allows students to critically assess and understand research discussed throughout the semester. Students have enjoyed this activity as it acts as an introduction to concepts discussed throughout the semester and provides an opportunity to interpret real world data.