77 Massachusetts Ave. The Physical Geology Tutor is used by graduate and undergraduate students in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering's courses in engineering geology. Students use the PGT to reinforce ideas learned in class, as well as to become familiar with concepts not introduced in lectures. The Tutor's special hardware and software requirements, such as the use of an optical laser disc for image storage and a programming language used only at MIT, prevented the widespread distribution of older versions of the Tutor. Recently, the PGT was converted to a WWW format, which has enhanced its availability and ease of use.
Geologic terms used in the Tutor are hyperlinked, so students can quickly look up definitions.
The use of HTML makes adding or changing information in the Tutor a simple process. Java and CGI scripts are used to create an interactive user environment, providing means for students to outline geologic features and type answers in the workbook and quiz sections. Since it is on the WWW, the Physical Geology Tutor can be poentially used off-site.