GEOS 309 Watershed Science - Dogwiler

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About This Article

This article describes how mobile computing, specifically tablets, was piloted in Dr. Toby Dogwiler's GEOS 309 - Watershed Science to transform teaching and learning.

Intended Audience

WSU instructors interested in past faculty experience with tablet devices in the classroom.

Fall 2012 iPad Pilot

Students taking this course in the fall will receive iPad 2 tablets to use throughout the semester, along with several apps selected by Dr. Dogwiler for use in class and in the field.

How the iPads are Used in GEOS 309

Professor Dogwiler’s GEOS 309 students made field trips to the river to collect data on watersheds, geologic formations, and other geophysical entities. These data came from observations and instruments that were traditionally recorded on paper before returning to the lab to start the analysis.

With the introduction of the iPads, data were entered into the iPads in the field. Once the data were entered, analysis and creation of graphics was immediate. Rather than recording the data on paper and returning to the lab for analysis, the students record with the iPad, analyze the data immediately in the field, and discuss the results of the analysis while still in the field at the point of collection.

Additional information and readings are distributed to the students in the form of PDF files through Dropbox. Articles, journals, and other readings are done on the iPad using GoodReader to allow for highlighting, notes, and other annotations directly in the PDF.

Professor Dogwiler used the iPads to accomplish several key objectives of the course that would be difficult or impossible utilizing only traditional educational methods. The iPads and their associated applications enabled Professor Dogwiler to:

  • Improve data collection process in the field. Because of the built-in camera, GPS, spreadsheets, and applications on the iPad, the students record more complete data. The ability of the iPad to do the calculations in the field allows students to see empirical results immediately, completing the research while still observing the landform.
  • Increase data sharing. By recording data electronically, the person that serves as group recorder can more easily share data with teammates. This electronic data is more easily and efficiently used by all members of the group for analysis and review.

Outcomes

Changes in the classroom

  • Higher quality data analysis. In past sections of the class, students recorded instrument readings manually in the field. These data were not analyzed until the students returned to the classroom and their laptops. The iPad and its associated applications allow the students to take measurements, enter them into the iPad in the field, perform the required calculations, and produce results on site. Having the results on site allow for the students to critically think about what the calculations mean and how factors in the environment affect the outcomes.
  • Faster access to instruction in the field. Demonstration videos, which are otherwise only available in the lab, were loaded onto the tablets and taken into the field. This allowed students access to instruction faster when questions arose. No need to wait for the instructor to be free.
  • Notable increase in data sharing between students. Students shared more data in less time. The learning moved from a personal experience to a collaborative effort.

Professor Dogwiler is looking for ways to include iPads in other courses within the program. He was accepted for a spring pilot, using the iPads as video creation and consumption devices.

Recommendations

  • The outcomes of the pilot were very positive. Professor Dogwiler observed his students relating collected data to the environment, sharing data more readily, and gaining more insight into the science behind the watershed.
  • Realizing the power of the tablet as an educational tool, Professors Dogwiler and Beatty designed a new class for the spring term. This course uses the video-production capabilities of the iPad to study geoscience in the media. Students investigate instances of geoscience in the media and then storyboard and shoot their own videos utilizing the iPads.

iPad Applications Employed in GEOS 309

Professor Dogwiler used the following applications in his GEOS 309 iPad pilot:

  • EarthObserver
  • FieldNotes Pro
  • Geograph MN
  • GoodReader
  • Open Flow Pro

Descriptions, pricing, and links to iTunes for each of these applications is available on the iPad Pilot Applications page.

More Information

Related Wiki Topics


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