Geologic Field Trip
Part I. Question:
In order to allow time for your classmates to respond, an initial response should be posted no later than Wednesday, 11:55 p.m., ET. Your response needs to adequately cover the topic which in general should take at least 200 words.
Take a field trip (or virtual field trip) to your favorite park or natural area. Describe the geological features including rock types, landforms, etc. Research the geologic past of this area, and describe how the rocks and geologic features were formed.
Insert a photo or two to illustrate your post. If you have a photo of yourself at this site, those are always fun to share with classmates! Just like in the previous forums, first upload your photo into My Workspace as a .jpg file, and then use the insert photo icon (the mountain and sun) in the Rich Text editor above your post to add it.
Importantly, for others to view your photo, the file settings must be “publicly viewable”. To select this setting: open “Resources” in My Workspace, then the folder where the picture file is located, and finally click on the “Actions” menu to the right of the file name. Choose “edit details” and scroll down to “Availability and Access” and “Choose who can see this item”, select the button next to “This file is publicly viewable”. (See attached instructions for more information). If this setting is not selected, you will see your photo, but no one else will.
Make sure you provide SUBSTANCE in both your primary post and the two replies you give to classmates. Be sure to show that you have considered the concept of “geologic processes” and then apply what you have learned in the course through creative examples! Be sure to attribute your sources of information. Consult at least two different references when researching your post.
To research the geology of your selected area, look for resources or sites about geology. These sites included those with geology books (including our online library), organizational websites (like the United States Geologic Survey, state or national park websites), or other geologic sources.
An important aspect of the forums in this class is to practice writing skills. When writing an essay, the first sentence (or paragraph) is always a general overview and introduction of your topic. The last sentence (or paragraph) is always a summary and conclusion statement. Keep the quotations to a minimum- it is always better to summarize your sources in your own words. This shows that you have analyzed and synthesized the material. Don’t include extraneous facts/statements that have no relation to your topic as “fillers”. It is important to state clearly your viewpoints and not assume that the reader is going to fill in the spaces. Thus, proofread your post from the viewpoint of the reader. Composing a well-written essay is not a “one shot” proposition. It requires writing a rough draft, and then “tweaking” it repeatedly.
You will not need to formally reference your work but need to attribute it to the source you found it, something likely you do in everyday conversation. For example, “Yesterday I was reading in the Washington Post that . . ” or, “I found this interesting video on YouTube.” At a minimum, include a list of URLs of webpage’s consulted at the bottom of your post.
Have fun exploring the geology of your selected site!
Here are some great examples of geologic field trips:
http://3dparks.wr.usgs.gov/index.html
Part II. Participation:
Respond to the posts of at least 3 other students with insightful and meaningful comments and questions (this should take at least 100 words) no later than Sunday, 11:55 p.m. ET, but the earlier the better. Check back throughout the week for responses to your posts. Let’s have a useful discussion!
Grading:
Initial posts: These earn a maximum of 50 points. “Exemplary” posts that contain all of the elements listed in the Forum Grading Rubric (outside source, link or graphic, concepts from the text, etc.) will receive 50 points. Posts that “Meet Standards” will receive a maximum of 40 points, etc.
Replies: These earn a maximum of 50 points. Replies to 2 other posts “Meets Standards” and will earn a maximum of 40 points. Three or more replies and answering all questions, posed by other students and the instructor, are necessary for earning the maximum of 50 points in this category.
For information on how you will be evaluated, please see the Forum Grading Rubric.
