USING PLACE-BASED EDUCATION TO ENHANCE ENGAGEMENT IN INTRODUCTORY AND GENERAL EDUCATION GEOSCIENCE COURSES

Undergraduates in introductory and general education courses often have very little experience with the geosciences, leaving them with a limited ability to connect new information to prior knowledge which, in turn, decreases engagement and thereby reduces retention (in the brain and in the course) and effects recruitment of majors. The use of “textbook examples” is helpful and necessary but can leave students with the impression that geology is somewhere distant and detached from anything they are likely to encounter. Fortunately, everyone has personal experience with the Earth and its processes on a daily basis; their attention simply needs to be directed to relevant experiences. Instructors can help students make connections between the place where they live and the material covered in their geoscience course through the use of local examples in classroom discussions, lab exercises, local activities, and projects. This presentation will provide a discussion of the importance of connecting students to geoscience in the place where they live and include a brief overview of different levels of place-based course content with which to engage students.