Using Concept Maps to Plan an Introductory Structural Geology Course

A concept map is a visual representation of concepts and their relationship to each other in a body of knowledge. They show the hierarchy of these concepts and emphasize the links between them. Concept maps are valuable pedagogical tools used to design the syllabus for an undergraduate structural geology course. Their value as an aid to student learning has been widely documented (Novak, 1990), and we have found them particularly suitable in the initial planning of courses such as structural geology where many new concepts are introduced. Concept maps used in the design stage of our structural geology course has resulted in a significant re-ordering of the topics. A more logical sequence begins with descriptive topics (joints and faults) and progresses to more abstract topics (stress and strain and continuum mechanics). The resultant sequence of topics is not that used in most traditional structural geology textbooks. Although it is not necessary for a course to be taught in the same sequence as material is presented in a textbook it is more convenient for students if it does.

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