Descriptions of faculty practice that illuminate nuances of how course planning and classroom instruction occur in specific contexts are important to inform pedagogical interventions. The study reported in this article draws on systems-of-practice theory to focus on the dynamic interplay among actors, artifacts, and tasks that constrains…

Describes a developing two-year geologic technician program at Bakersfield College in which a student may major in five areas - geologic drafting, land and legal, geologic assistant, engineering or paleontology. (RR)

The purpose of this report is to publicize some worthwhile experiences enjoyed by the author in a small school with a limited budget. (DF)

A discussion is presented with the following purposes: (1) to evaluate the types of students desiring and/or needing to study this course; (2) to evaluate the type of course that can be designed for them; (3) to describe a course developed for the needs of both geology and liberal arts students; and (4) to share the ideas and experiences of the…

Describes course for both science and non-science majors who have had introductory geology. The course is presented in three parts: lecture, laboratory, and field project. Students are involved in measuring a stratigraphic section, collecting samples, lithologic descriptions, fossil cleaning, and sample identification. (PR)

Summarizes changes in paleoecology during the past few years (focusing on those influencing the way the subject is taught) and changes in the concept of what paleoecology is (focusing on the impact of the changing concepts on course content). Includes predictions about the future of paleoecological studies. (JN)

A geochemistry course for chemists is described. Includes: (1) general course information; (2) subject matter covered; and (3) a consideration of the uses of geochemistry in a chemistry curriculum, including geochemical "real world" examples, geochemistry in general chemistry, and geochemistry as an elective. (JN)

According to Carl Sagan (1987), "Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge." Field studies and undergraduate research provide students with the best opportunities for "thinking" about science, while at the same time acquiring a body of knowledge. Natural History of Tropical Carbonate Ecosystems is a…

Describes the development of a month-long interterm course which involved a field trip to East Africa. An account of the field trip showing travel itineraries, costs, and other details of the trip is presented. (CP)

Describes geology teaching in a penal institution, considering class offerings, teaching structure, teaching schedule, security, cheating, student characteristics, women prisoners in geology classes, and outside field trips. Sample laboratory schedule is included. (JN)

Describes a course which developed as a result of student requests for practical experience in environmental geology. Students have gained insight into the interaction between geology and human activities. (DF)

This study involved 91 students who made up five sections of General Earth Science all taught by the author at State University College, Oswego, New York. The population was randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group was taught using an independent study program designed and conducted by the author, and the control group used the…

Describes a course for non-science majors in gems and gemstones developed at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. (SL)

The course was designed: (1) to broaden the base for chemistry majors to build their courses; (2) to illustrate how some chemistry principles are applied to real situations; and (3) to serve as an introduction to geochemistry for geology majors. (DF)