Application of Tablet PCs to Lecture Demonstrations on Optical Mineralogy

ABSTRACT Learning optical mineralogy requires students to integrate a complex theory with microscope manipulations and image interpretation. To assist student learning, we performed lecture demonstrations during which digital photomicrographs were taken and delivered to students using Tablet PCs, whereupon they were imported into note-taking software and annotated with digital ink by both instructor and students. We tested two different methods for delivering images: (1) images were delivered via an ad hoc wireless network using the file transfer capability of NetSupport School, using the instructor's computer as the hub, and (2) images were saved to a shared folder that could be accessed by students via the regular campus wireless network. Students loaded the images into either Microsoft OneNote or PowerPoint, and then annotated them with digital ink using the stylus pen as the instructor lectured. Use of the campus wireless network resolved issues of slow image delivery encountered with the ad hoc wireless network, Summative assessment revealed that most students thought the Tablet PCs helped them to understand the complex visualizations. The degree of acceptance among students of using Tablet PCs for note-taking during lectures improved considerably when the issue of slow image delivery was resolved. In addition, students commented that it was helpful to have the images close up and that the colors were highly accurate. INTRODUCTION Optical mineralogy is one of the most challenging subjects taught within undergraduate geology programs. Students must learn to integrate a complex theory, microscope manipulations, and image interpretation in order to identify minerals in thin section or to narrow the possibilities. In recent years, many geology programs have reduced the time allocated to optical mineralogy within their undergraduate programs, in spite of contrary justifications (Gunter, 2004), challenging instructors to find more efficient and effective ways of teaching these skills. Modern methods of pedagogy were incorporated into a textbook on mineralogy and optical mineralogy (Dyar and Gunter, 2008). One technique, in common usage, is to incorporate demonstrations into lectures using a digital camera attached to a microscope and directing the live video feed from the camera to a projector. This method carries both advantages and disadvantages. Advantages include (1) the lecture content is well illustrated, possibly leading to enhanced comprehension, and (2) in response to questions and discussion, the instructor may expand on particular points with more demonstrations. The main disadvantages are (1) students observe passively and consequently may suffer a loss of engagement during the demonstration, and (2) note taking during lecture demonstrations is difficult due to the complex color images that must be rapidly sketched and labeled. In an effort to overcome the disadvantages, we proposed that the learning effectiveness of lecture demonstrations might be improved if students could take notes directly on their own copies of the displayed images. Learning improvement would result from greater student engagement due to working directly with the images. In addition, by removing the need for sketching the images, students would have more time and mental energy to focus on learning the skills. Furthermore, the high accuracy color of the images would assist learning because they would realistically represent the subtle color changes that students must learn to interpret. Tablet PCs come equipped with a hand-held stylus pen that writes with digital ink on digital paper in pencapable programs such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and OneNote, analogous to using a conventional pen to write on conventional paper. The user writes with the stylus pen directly on the computer screen and the software responds by creating vector objects containing the digital ink lines and placing them in a layer that superimposes over the digital paper and over any embedded objects such as images. …