Grabinger et al . In response to a problem, activities that permit the learner to formulate a hypothesis, test it, observe the result, formulate a refined hypothesis and test it again, are considered to be heuristic activities. The SIK provides a number of tools and an environment in which the student can engage in activities and hypothesis testing to try and solve problems posed by the teacher or by the student. After the routine recognition of horizons the student may start sampling the soil and performing the assessment of its properties. The student can proceed by heuristic actions and discover how to perform the determinations.
Information is provided on how to do something if the student requests it.
Results obtained are entered into a notebook which provides feedback on the entries in either accepting the values or indicating that they are incorrect. Because the quantitative values derived are based on real soil, they are either right or wrong. It is problematic how long to permit a student to make errors which can accumulate and compound before giving remedial feedback. Those misconceptions may then prove difficult to change. This approach allows the user to accumulate as many mistakes as they wish and to be aware of it.