Teaching quantitative skills and integrative thinking in earth sciences using object-oriented computer models

Abstract

Students studying Earth sciences often struggle with the quantitative aspects of the field and also with the fundamental inter-connectedness between both different conjugate fields and different specific processes. Both of these issues have been addressed as part of a third year option course entitled Advanced Topics in Sedimentology by using the object-oriented modelling computer programme STELLA. Students are presented with mathematical concepts in an easily understandable way and are directed through practical activities designed without a single correct answer in mind, emphasising conceptual understanding over rote factual recall. By using a predict-perform-reflect pedagogical model, student learning is iterative and progressively harder problems may be introduced, culminating in open-ended problems that require students to integrate both existing knowledge and their new understanding gained from the earlier modelling exercises.