Sent: Monday, October 25, 2010 10:36
PM
Subject: Geoscience reliance on
fieldwork
Hello everyone...
I am currently looking at two arguments regarding the inclusion of
fieldwork in geoscience literacy courses.
- Since field studies are one of the major ways by which geoscience
knowledge is constructed it is important to expose novices to how fieldwork
works so they have some sense of where this knowledge comes from. Plus
it gives them first-hand experience with at least some of the phenomena that
they are looking at.
- With the refinement of remote sensing technology and an increasing
emphasis on modeling and lab analysis, we are seeing more and more
geoscientists that spend little or no time in the field. Consequently,
it is an inefficient use of limited educational resources to engage novices
in an activity that is becoming increasingly less important to the research
community.
Are any of you are familiar with any statistics related to the time
various types of geoscientists spend in the field vs. other activities such as
modeling, lab analysis, administration? Any reflections or information
on the other issues associated with this question would also be
appreciated.
Cheers
Frank G.
Frank D. Granshaw
Earth Science Instructor
Portland Community College
Sylvania Campus
Portland, OR
503-977-8236