Using GeoMapApp As a Virtual Lab to Enrich Geoscience Education

Abstract:

Student engagement increases when they take ownership of data. GeoMapApp (http://www.geomapapp.org) is a free, map-based data discovery and visualisation tool that enables students to manipulate and examine a wide range of geoscience data in a variety of ways. Additionally, a new Save Session function allows educators to preserve a pre-loaded state of GeoMapApp. When shared with a class, the saved file allows every student to open GeoMapApp at exactly the same starting point from which to begin their data explorations. Built-in data sets include those related to land and ocean topography, seafloor spreading and plate tectonics, polar sea ice cover and ocean temperature, geological maps, and sea-level rise. An intuitive user interface allows students to interrogate the research-grade data using simple techniques to help gain meaning from the data. For example, students can readily layer data sets for easy comparison, display tabular data sets in ways that facilitate visual pattern recognition, and shade and contour elevation data to help delineate features on land and the seafloor. Using a simple profiling tool, cross-sections can be generated instantly and saved for future use. In the attached image, high-resolution elevation data for Mount St. Helens reveals the dramatic relief of this famous volcano – the gap in the northern flank is clearly seen in both the map view and the 3-D perspective image, and the cross-section shows the steep flanks forming the crater rim. An import function allows students to quickly bring their own data sets into GeoMapApp. Once imported, all of the same analytical and visualisation functionality that applies to built-in data sets can be used on the students’ own data. A number of guided-inquiry learning modules developed with GeoMapApp are available and help students grapple with fundamental concepts in earth sciences. Examples include a module in which students calculate seafloor spreading rates in different ocean basins using their own profiles, and another module that explores the relationship between geology and landscapes. Examples will be shown.