TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Implementation of an augmented reality sandbox as a tool for creating and interpreting topographic maps from 3D landscapes; the effect on student learning and classroom engagement in 100-level geology classes

Claire A. Mondro, Jacob S. Benner, Bradley J. Thomson, and Nick Lang

Students who interacted with an augmented reality sandbox (ARS) in a Geo 101 topographic maps lab demonstrated higher levels of long-term knowledge retention than students who completed an equivalent lab using 2D paper maps.

As part of a lab re-write that incorporated the department’s new ARS as a learning tool, I developed and disseminated knowledge assessment surveys across three semesters of introductory geology to measure student learning before and after the implementation of the new lab.

This is the first ARS study to test for and find increased long-term knowledge retention among students associated with the use of an ARS in a structured learning activity.

  • Workshops, Training, & Certification

    Teaching Institute | Johns Hopkins University | 2024

    Course Design: Forward, Central, Backward, and Beyond | Caltech CTLO workshop | 2024

    Change Leadership for Inclusive Teaching and Learning | CIRTL short course | 2023

    Transforming Your Research into Teaching | Caltech CTLO short course | 2023

    Inclusive Teaching Certificate | UTK Teaching and Learning Initiative | 2021

    Practitioner Certification | Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL) | 2019

    Fostering Undergraduate Evidence-Based Learning in STEM | CIRTL workshop | 2018

  • Guest Lectures

    University of Tennessee, Department of Earth and Planetary Science

    Earth Structure and Geophysics: “Planetary Tectonics and Structure” | Fall 2021

    Petroleum Geology: “Geology and Geopolitics of Petroleum Exploration and Production in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq” | Fall 2019

    Planetary Geology: “Grand Tour of the Solar System” | Spring 2018

  • Course Content Development

    University of Tennessee, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences

    Earth Sedimentary Processes (Geol 340) | Spring 2020
    Produced new digital lab assignments and materials for mid-semester transition to fully online format

    Topographic Map Lab Knowledge Study: The Dynamic Earth (Geol 101) | 2018-2019
    IRB-approved study on effectiveness of new lab design on student knowledge retention (Coming Soon: Lab materials, Knowledge Surveys, published results)

    Planetary Geology (Geol 380) | Spring 2019
    Created lab materials for orbital dynamics, surface processes, mission planning, and remote sensing

    The Dynamic Earth (Geol 101) | Fall 2018
    Worked with a team of students and faculty to re-write, test, and implement a full suite of labs which focused of developing independent investigation skills and scientific literacy

    Pennsylvania State University, Earth and Space Science Partnership

    The Ocean Around Us (Geosc 040) | Fall 2012
    Collaborated with an interdisciplinary research group to re-write course structure and lab assignments for intro-level science courses while designing and implementing a “blended learning” format that focused on improving scientific literacy in intro-level courses.

  • Teaching Assistant

    (primary lab instructor responsible for lectures, demonstrations, instruction, and grading for lab sections)

    University of Tennessee, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences

    Planetary Science (Geol 580) | Spring 2022
    Geologic Applications of Remote Sensing (Geol 539, online synchronous) | Spring 2021
    The Dynamic Earth (Geol 101, online synchronous) | Fall 2020
    Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (Geol 340, hybrid) | Spring 2020
    Planetary Geology (Geol 380) | Spring 2018 & 2019
    The Dynamic Earth (Geol 101) | Fall 2017

    Pennsylvania State University, Department of Geosciences

    Geology Field Camp: Northern Basin and Range (Geosc 472a/b), Head TA | Summer 2011 & 2012
    The Ocean Around Us (Geosc 040) | Fall 2010 & Spring 2012
    Structural Geology (Geosc 465) | Spring 2011

    The Ohio State University, School of Earth Sciences

    Geology Field Camp: Utah Basin and Range (EarthSci 581/582), Head TA | Summer 2010