Discusses a study conducted to determine whether college students in an environmental earth science course changed their commitment to environmental issues. The development of the environmental commitment scale used is also described. (WB)

Describes the testing of a "coursette" model of instruction designed to stimulate interest in geology among students at the University of South Carolina. (Author/SA)

Reports on a flexible doctoral program in geology designed for students interested in a teacher-oriented career in liberal arts, community, and junior colleges. (CP)

Describes a resource room designed to provide credit in physical geology through independent work. Use of the room correlates positively with exam scores. (MA)

An introductory college course in which both the instructional staff and students have input into the content has been successfully implemented into a spectrum of instructor-centered to student-centered introductory earth science courses. Grading by point accumulation method reduced the grade threat and induced student responsibility for learning.…

Describes an environmental education course which meets during three long weekends at a setting away from campus during each semester. (SL)

Describes a special topics program which allows students some choice in content to be studied. Topics include Continental Drift and Ice Ages, Geology and National Parks, the Coast of South Carolina, and Medical Geology. Student evaluations indicate positive attitudes towards the program. (MA)

Describes and provides evaluation of a one semester minicourse curriculum for undergraduate earth science instruction. (CP)

This study found that students who experienced a field-oriented laboratory approach had higher affective scores (related to levels of importance, interest, and enjoyment associated with the learning experience) than students in a traditional laboratory setting. A description of the approaches used is included. (JN)

Presented is a description of an undergraduate environmental education course which includes, interaction between material environment, social environment, and internal environment (i.e. emotional concerns). (SL)

Compared attitudes, interests, and values of students in physical geology and environmental earth science courses. Significant differences were not found as indicated by comparisons of precourse/postcourse scores. Interpretation of the results and descriptions of the two courses are provided. (JN)

Explains how an environmental education course using a small group format was successfully modified for a large class setting through the use of whole class lectures and small group sessions (N=20-25) led by graduate teaching assistants. Includes course format and evaluation results. (DC)

A voluntarily used resource room has been shown to be an effective and reasonably inexpensive mechanism whereby attitudinal levels of students in traditionally taught introductory geology courses can be maintained at the same level as in nontraditional courses, without requiring large-scale revision or restructuring of traditionally taught…