Title: Conceptual Learning Outcomes of Google Earth Exploration in Introductory. Learning through Research, Northeastern University, Boston, MA,

Transcription

1 Title: Conceptual Learning Outcomes of Google Earth Exploration in Introductory Geoscience Courses Journal: Research in Science Education Authors: Kelsey S. Bitting, Ph.D. 1, Marsha J. McCartney, Ph.D. 2, Kathy R. Denning, M.S. 3, Jennifer A. Roberts, Ph.D. 4 Corresponding author: Kelsey S. Bitting, 1 Center for Advancing Teaching and Learning through Research, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, kelsey.bitting@gmail.com

2 Geoscience Concept Inventory Items 1. On continents, where does most volcanic material come from?

3 2. The maps below show the surface of the Earth as viewed from the sky. Which map best illustrates where volcanoes, marked with a bold triangle, would be located? 3. A scientist collects all of the fossils ever discovered into one room. This room now contains: A. Fossils of a few of the plants and animals that ever lived B. Fossils of most of the plants and animals that ever lived C. Fossils of most of the types of plants and animals that ever lived D. Fossils of all of the plants and animals that ever lived E. Fossils of all of the types of plants and animals that ever lived 4. Fossils are studied by scientists interested in learning about the past. Which of the following can become fossils? Choose all that apply. A. Bones B. Plant material C. Marks left by plants D. Marks left by animals E. Animal material 5. How can rocks in the ocean be formed? Choose all that apply. A. By animals B. From continental rocks C. By volcanic activity 6. How will continental elevation change during collision with the ocean floor? A. Continental elevation will stay the same B. Continental elevation will decrease C. Continental elevation will increase 7. How will continental lithosphere change as mountains are formed during collisions with oceanic lithosphere? A. Continental lithospheric thickness will stay the same B. Continental lithospheric thickness will increase C. Continental lithospheric thickness will decrease

4 8. The following maps show the position of the Earth s continents and oceans. The dots on each map mark the locations where volcanic eruptions occur on land. Which map do you think most closely represents the places where these volcanoes are typically observed? (1pts)

5 9. Which of the following responses best summarizes the relationship between volcanoes, large earthquakes, and tectonic plates? A. Volcanoes typically occur on islands, earthquakes typically occur on continents, and both occur near tectonic plates B. Volcanoes and large earthquakes both typically occur along the edges of tectonic plates C. Volcanoes typically occur in the center of tectonic plates and large earthquakes typically occur along the edges of tectonic plates D. Volcanoes and large earthquakes both typically occur in warm climates E. Volcanoes, large earthquakes, and tectonic plates are not related, and each can occur in different places 10. Which of the following statements about the age of rocks is most likely true? A. Rocks found in the ocean are about the same age as rocks found on continents B. Rocks found on continents are generally older than rocks found in the ocean C. Rocks found in the ocean are generally older than rocks found on continents D. Ages of rocks are not precise enough to determine which rock type is older 11. Which of the following statements do you think best describes the relationship between people and dinosaurs? A. People and dinosaurs co-existed for about five thousand years. B. People and dinosaurs co-existed for about five hundred thousand years. C. Dinosaurs died out about five thousand years before people appeared on Earth. D. Dinosaurs died out about five hundred thousand years before people appeared on Earth. E. Dinosaurs died out about fifty million years before people appeared on Earth.