THE USE OF GOOGLE TECHNOLOGY WITHIN THE CLASSROOM: GEOSCIENCE EDUCATION MODULES AND A VIRTUAL TOUR OF MID-ATLANTIC COASTAL GEOLOGY

The use of Google technology within the classroom provides a mechanism for offering virtual field experiences for teaching undergraduate Earth science laboratory sections. Such technology can expand participation in undergraduate geoscience courses, as it may reduce barriers for students such as those with family or work obligations, non-traditional schedules, or mobility disabilities. The Google Earth for Online and Distance Education (GEODE) project, funded by a recently-completed NSF grant, offers an array of online geoscience exercises for the undergraduate classroom including evaluation tools. These exercises, hosted by SERC, are available at geode.net. We provide an overview of the GEODE education modules, and focus on one particular activity currently in development, a comprehensive examination of coastal Virginia and North Carolina environments. With a focus on physical geology and Earth science curriculum learning objectives, this activity leads the student through various geological settings, identifying important natural and man-made coastal features. It emphasizes quantitative concepts using embedded questions and interactive investigations. Within the tour, there are several activities that utilize simple Google Earth Engine code to perform topographic analyses, cross-section profile extractions, and distance calculations; students have the opportunity to alter the code and see the effects in the output. Additionally, there are videos, animations, and Google Timelapse sequences embedded within the tour to capture the student and show the dynamic nature of the coastline. Because the activity was created with open-source Google software, it allows groups of teachers to collaborate and expand upon the tour to customize it to their curriculum. Overall, this exercise helps those who might have constraints limiting participation in traditional outdoor field experiences to virtually visit and interact with type locations in coastal geology.