HR: 1330h
AN: ED32B-1202    [PDF]
TI: Teaching Introductory Mineralogy With the GeoWall
AU: * Anderson, C D
EM: canderson@geol.ucsb.edu
AF: Dept. Geological Sciences, Univ. of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106 United States
AU: Haymon, R M
EM: haymon@geol.ucsb.edu
AF: Dept. Geological Sciences, Univ. of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106 United States
AB: Mineralogy, like many topics in Earth Sciences, contains inherently three-dimensional topics that are difficult to teach. Concepts such as crystal symmetry and forms, Miller indices, the polymerization of silica tetrahedra and resulting structures of silicate mineral groups, and the interaction of light and minerals are particularly difficult. Two-dimensional diagrams are limited in their effectiveness, and physical models, while effective, are expensive and do not work as well in large class settings. The GeoWall system brings the effectiveness of physical models to the large classroom. In Fall 2003, we will integrate the GeoWall into our introductory mineralogy classes at UCSB using a combination of commercial software, atomic structure models available on the web, and custom content created in-house. The commercial software SHAPE (www.shapesoftware.com) allows users to build and display crystal shapes and their symmetry. Though not designed for the GeoWall, the software's stereopair display mode works perfectly on the system. Using the Chime web browser plug-in (www.mdl.com), computer models of silicate minerals available from the Virtual Museum of Minerals and Molecules (www.soils.umn.edu\/virtual\_museum) provide an interactive display of silicate mineral structure that illustrates the tetrahedral framework. Again, while not developed for the GeoWall, the Chime plug-in works seamlessly with the GeoWall hardware. 3-D GeoWall images that display light paths through minerals, and reveal relationships between crystal symmetry and optical indicatrix properties, have been developed in-house using a combination of SHAPE and 3D modeling software. The 3-D GeoWall images should convey in an instant these difficult concepts that students historically have struggled to visualize. Initial assessment of the GeoWall's effectiveness as a mineralogy teaching aid at UCSB in Fall 2003 will come from the instructor's impressions and by comparing test scores with classes from previous years.
DE: 3600 MINERALOGY AND PETROLOGY (replaces
DE: 6605 Education
DE: 9800 GENERAL OR MISCELLANEOUS
SC: Education and Human Resources [ED]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting