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Supporting the Transition from Geoscience Student to Researcher Through Classroom Investigations Using Remotely Operable Analytical Instruments

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Geoscience Research and Education

Part of the book series: Innovations in Science Education and Technology ((ISET,volume 20))

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Abstract

Bringing research training activities into the classroom through course-related uses of research instrumentation is a widely used strategy for improving student engagement, retention, and learning in undergraduate science courses. However, such strategies present a range of logistical challenges in terms of instrument access for a large number of students, the time commitment involved in learning instrument use, and in ensuring a sufficient level of exposure for students such that the experience can actually help develop key technical and intellectual skills. I have sought to minimize the logistical challenges of classroom instrument use through integrating remotely operable instruments (electron microprobe and scanning electron microscope) into course activities in a junior-level geology majors course and an introductory-level science course for non-majors. Our outcomes to date point to increased student interest in course materials and activities due to their hands-on instrumentation experiences. Geology majors showed an increased willingness to undertake and complete mentored undergraduate research projects. Non-majors showed no greater inclination to undertake further science courses and research experiences, an outcome that may be partly related to the constraints of their selected degree curricula.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA

    Jeffrey G. Ryan

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  1. Jeffrey G. Ryan
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Correspondence to Jeffrey G. Ryan .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, London, United Kingdom

    Vincent C. H. Tong

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Ryan, J.G. (2014). Supporting the Transition from Geoscience Student to Researcher Through Classroom Investigations Using Remotely Operable Analytical Instruments. In: Tong, V. (eds) Geoscience Research and Education. Innovations in Science Education and Technology, vol 20. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6946-5_12

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