testing mobile computing to enhance student learning in the earth
TRANSCRIPT
TESTING MOBILE COMPUTING TO ENHANCE STUDENT LEARNING IN THE EARTH AND OCEANOGRAPHIC SCIENCE CURRICULUM MATT SAVARD ([email protected]) GIBBONS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FELLOWSHIP BOWDOIN COLLEGE, BRUNSWICK, MAINE
Abstract Geologists share their research results through journal arLcles and maps. The future of data sharing involves mobile compuLng and digital mapping (Whitmeyer et al. 2012). The IOS mobile compuLng applicaLons Strike and Dip, GeoID, GeoCompass and MoLonX GPS were tested at LiYle John Island, Two Lights State Park, Giant Stairs and Bowdoin College. Measurements from all applicaLons were compared to measurements taken with a calibrated Brunton Compass. The applicaLon GeoCompass proved to be the best opLon for electronic strike and dip measurements as well as data transfer and map making in the computer program ArcGIS. During the 2013 fall semester the Earth and Oceanographic Science course Ltled Structural Geology 2125 is tesLng the applicaLon GeoCompass in the field and transferring data into ArcGIS.
Acknowledgments This work was made possible by funding from the Gibbons Fellowship. I would also like to express my graLtude to Rachel Beane, Emily Peterman, Kevin McDonough and the enLre Earth and Oceanographic Science department.
Methods
References Apple 9/24/2013. iPhone and iPad: Calibra/ng Compass hYp://support.apple.com/kb/TS2767
Gizmodo 10/03/2013. The iPhone 5s Mo/on Sensors Are Totally Screwed Up. hYp://gizmodo.com/the-‐iphone-‐5s-‐moLon-‐sensors-‐are-‐totally-‐screwed-‐up-‐1440286727
J.E. Bailey, S.J. Whitmeyer, D.G. De Paor. 2012. Introduc/on: The applica/on of Google Geo Tools to geoscience educa/on and research. The Geologic Society of America.
Conclusions Summer field tests showed the applicaLon GeoCompass was the best opLon for electronic strike and dip measurements as well as data transfer to the computer program ArcGIS. Further tests during the EOS 2125 "Structural Geology" course showed that some iPhones gave strike measurements consistent with the Brunton Compass measurements while measurements from other iPhones were inconsistent. Frequent recalibraLon of iPhone compass (Apple 9/24/2013) and improvements to the iPhone moLon sensors (Gizmodo 10/03/2013) may boost accuracy of these measurements in the future. Data transfer to ArcGIS is straighjorward and a good opLon for creaLng digital maps (Fig. X -‐your instrucLons). The GeoCompass app records strike, dip, GPS coordinates, and a photo for each stop. Using Excel, the strike measurement -‐ currently inconsistent with the iPhone -‐ can be manually replaced with the strike measurement from the Brunton Compass prior to transferring all data to ArcGIS. If iPhone sensors improve in the future, then this step can be omiYed. PracLcing the latest digital mapping techniques, allows Bowdoin students to be at the forefront of their field.
Field visits required a charged iPhone, Brunton Compass, ‘Write-‐in-‐the-‐Rain’ notebook and pencil. All field visits accumulated a minimum of 15 strike and dip measurements from each IOS applicaLon. Surfaces were also measured using the tradiLonal Brunton Compass for later comparison. The data collecLon process compared the applicaLons on the chart seen in Table 1. Once the data was collected it was transferred into the computer and ploYed in both Google Earth and ArcGIS. This process was compared on the chart seen in Table 2.
hCp://web.mit.edu/12.114/03_fall/www/lectures/compass.htm
Figure 1. Strike and dip measurements ploYed using Google Earth
Figure 2. Strike and dip measurements ploYed using ArcGIS
Results Table 1. EvaluaLon of IOS apps Strike and Dip, GeoID, GeoCompass, MoLonX GPS
Table 2. EvaluaLon of Mapping Programs Google Earth and ArcGIS
(3-‐D symbols)
hYp://www.itecplanet.com/phones/apple/iphone4s.php#.UltC2GTwJ9k
(Images from within GeoCompass) (Photo from Two Lights State Park)