Building Stronger, More Inclusive Geoscience Learning Communities Through Accessible Field Experiences.
Abstract
Field work is incredibly valuable in terms of learning opportunities and scientific advancement, as well as personal and professional growth for students. Traditionally, field work has been exclusive to a narrow demographic, but there is a growing call for more inclusive field experiences. Institutional policies, social norms, and physical/environmental challenges all present barriers to participation for many students. For example, more than 20% of working age adults identify as having a disability; a statistic that holds across all demographic groups; yet many geoscience departments continue to disallow participation by students with disabilities in field trips. This need not be the case as there are a variety of collaborative and technology-based approaches that enable everyone to be engaged in field work.
Taking students with disabilities in the field requires the consideration of many aspects of participation including the means and level of participation in field activities, accessible lodging and transportation, and how to cultivate a healthy social dynamic across physical ability levels. Over the past four years, the NSF funded GEOPATHS project "Engaging Students in Inclusive Field Experiences via Onsite and Remote Partnerships" has examined the academic and social aspects of conducting field work with mixed-ability groups in a range of geologic settings in the USA and Ireland. Through the use of technology and a group mindset of collaboration, creativity and problem-solving, students and faculty worked together to create techniques that engaged everyone in field learning and data collection. Based on an evaluation of these field projects as well as personal experience undertaking field research as a person with a physical disability, this presentation will share tips and best practices for maximizing inclusion and building strong learning communities in person or when working remotely. Ongoing work on the creation of a lending library of technology and equipment to enhance accessibility in field courses is discussed in terms of future research, and potential benefits to the geoscience community at large. From accessible site selection and collaborative teams to wireless communication technology and drones, there are many exciting ways to get everyone engaged in your next field project.- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019AGUFMED53E0886M
- Keywords:
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- 0810 Post-secondary education;
- EDUCATION;
- 0825 Teaching methods;
- EDUCATION;
- 0994 Instruments and techniques;
- EXPLORATION GEOPHYSICS;
- 8486 Field relationships;
- VOLCANOLOGY