The hidden earth: Visualization of geologic features and their Groundwater in Science 28 subsurface geometry. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching

Geology is among the most visual of the sciences, with spatial reasoning taking place at various scales and in various contexts. Among the spatial skills required in introductory college geology courses are spatial rotation (rotating objects in one’s mind), and visualization (transforming an object in one’s mind). To assess the role of spatial ability in geology, we designed an experiment using (1) web-based versions of spatial visualization tests, (2) a geospatial test, and (3) multimedia instructional modules built around innovative QuickTime Virtual Reality (QTVR) movies. Two introductory geology modules were created – visualizing topography and interactive 3D geologic blocks. The topography module was created with Authorware and encouraged students to visualize two-dimensional maps as three-dimensional landscapes. The geologic blocks module was created in FrontPage and covered layers, folds, faults, intrusions, and unconformities. Both modules had accompanying worksheets and handouts to encourage active participation by describing or drawing various features, and both modules concluded with applications that extended concept