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Laura A. Guertin, Matthew J. Bodek Penn State Univ. Delaware County

Bringing handheld computer technology to a tombstone weathering research project for physical geology. Laura A. Guertin, Matthew J. Bodek Penn State Univ. Delaware County. Outline of Presentation. =. +.

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Laura A. Guertin, Matthew J. Bodek Penn State Univ. Delaware County

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  1. Bringing handheld computer technology to a tombstone weathering research project for physical geology Laura A. Guertin, Matthew J. Bodek Penn State Univ. Delaware County

  2. Outline of Presentation = + *please note: images of the cemetery and students conducting research had to be removed for this PowerPoint to successfully upload to the GSA server

  3. Geology at Penn State DelCo • Intro-level, gen-ed, non-science students • Physical geology (“Planet Earth”) • Course Goal: experience with scientific method, working with data sets • Course Goal: using technology

  4. Tombstone Weathering Project • OLD METHOD • Form hypotheses • Collect data with pen-and-paper method • Enter in MS Excel worksheet • Instructor merges files • Data sorted for graphing and interpretation

  5. Tombstone Weathering Project • NEW METHOD • Form hypotheses • Collect data on Palm Pilot (eBook for reference) • On hotsync, all data compiled online, exported to MS Excel • Data sorted for graphing and interpretation

  6. How to Set Up the Palms for Data Collection in the Field • Develop data-collection form in MS FrontPage or Dreamweaver • Connect to MS Access database • Place online, load on Palm through AvantGo (web-clipping program)

  7. Benefits of Using Palm Pilots • Minimizes data errors • “I can’t read my writing,” entry in Excel • Can have Palm entry errors • Fewer materials to “juggle” in the field • One Palm Pilot (with eBooks, data entry forms) • Versus paper form, rock ID book, assignment instruction sheet

  8. Benefits of Using Palm Pilots • Data compiled and available immediately • No waiting for late data • All students can access at all time • “I lost my data! I can’t find my Excel sheet!” • Less work for the faculty member • No merging of multiple files • No excessive photocopying • Students can’t “forget” what they need in the field

  9. Benefits of Using Palm Pilots • Palms can be used in all weather • Students brag about the novelty of using Palms

  10. Drawbacks of Using Palms • Keeping the batteries charged • How students treat the Palms – train and be firm on Day 1!

  11. Student Feedback • Palms are “cool” • I went out and bought one for myself • Using a Palm is not “rocket science” • I appreciate not having to type in all that data • I hope we use Palms for more projects/classes

  12. Conclusion • Emerging technological tools (handheld computers) can be integrated with introductory-level geoscience exercises • Improve efficiency • Improve accuracy • Improve student attitude

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