Teaching Geophysics through Interactive Notebooks and Team-Based Learning

UNSW Sydney, Kensington, Australia

Engaging students in geophysics can be difficult, with a range of equations and calculations required as well as interpreting images and models. Scaffolding education carefully and using peer-to-peer learning is one way to help build confidence with geophysics.

Another challenge can be the ever-growing number of programs and tools in geophysics. Multiple platforms can also be a problem for students who are required to split their attention between complex information presented and solved in different tools. Interactive notebooks allow for the theory, videos, solution, images and interpretation, exercises to be stored in a single place. Geophysics students can replicate the notebook to add their own notes, try out changing parameters for calculations and share their solutions with educators.

Interactive notebooks work well at different stages of teaching geophysics – they can be used to create preparation material and provide scaffolded exercises that already perform some calculations and then ask more complicated questions and allow team members to adjust their results by discussion and interaction with their peers and instructor.

This workshop will be taught using Team-Based Learning to show how interactive notebooks can be introduced at various stages to build knowledge in geophysics.