iEarth Education Research Publication Series

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Project: "Developing an efficient learning environment from both the students' and the teachers' perspectives"

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Authors: Andreia Plaza-Faverola

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Funding from iEarth: 21 000 NOK in 2021

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Abstract

The best indicator for a high-quality course is that both, students and teachers, look forward to the course. This requires a positive culture for teaching and learning. In spring 2022 the Department of Geosciences at UiT-The Arctic University of Norway started a new course in geophysics. Thanks to support by iEarth and its funding scheme, the course was used as an opportunity to test the implementation of techniques to improve the efficiency of the learning environment within geophysics, in particular when a course deals with a large amount of content and new information. In a synergy with enthusiastic PhD students, we developed a case-study-based course where the students could apply new knowledge immediately after each lecture.

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We adapted the level and requirements of the course based on the student’s background and a-priori knowledge on each specific topic. This was achieved with the help of cognitive material such as animation videos and summary sheets provided to the students previous to the lectures. The students were given the opportunity to prepare questions that could be discussed with the teachers in the classroom. A large number of hours dedicated to practical work compared to the hours dedicated to lectures, favored the interaction by the students and resulted in enriching exchange between teachers and students.

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Feedback by the students at both master and PhD levels, guided us on how to improve for next year. Some of the key challenges that deserve our attention for improvement include: tuning the ideal amount of data and information provided to the students; providing sufficient time for familiarization with the software needed to work with the case studies; deepening content for selected topics; and establishing a good arena for reciprocal feedback among teachers and students. Through numerous discussions with staff involved in the course the project promoted a positive teaching culture and hopefully sets the basis for establishing a method for systematic improvement of our courses in geosciences.

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Manuscript by Przemyslaw Domel.

Production: BRIK and JHåland

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