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EDUCATION: CURRENT RESOURCES AND FUTURE TRENDS ... Computer aided learning (CAL) offers many advantages over traditional forms of learning.
COMPUTER AIDED LEARNING IN GEOENGINEERING EDUCATION: CURRENT RESOURCES AND FUTURE TRENDS Mark B. Jaksa1, Patrick R. James2, Leslie R. Davison3 and David G. Toll4

ABSTRACT As time proceeds the use of computer aided learning (CAL) in undergraduate courses is becoming a more widespread and accepted form of teaching. This paper presents the CAL resources currently available in geotechnical engineering and engineering and environmental geology and is an extension and update of Toll (1999). In addition, the authors attempt to predict where CAL is heading in the future. COMPUTER AIDED LEARNING Computer aided learning (CAL) offers many advantages over traditional forms of learning. These include: (1) the ability to run simulations of laboratory experiments and design scenarios that allow the student to see the effect on some behaviour by modifying various parameter(s); (2) the material can be delivered in an exciting and challenging manner; (3) students are able to learn at their own pace, rather than fitting into a schedule set by the course timetable; (4) student progress and areas of difficulty can be automatically monitored; (5) scarce teacher, technician and equipment resources can be diverted to other areas, e.g. research. Whilst CAL has a number of benefits it also suffers from a number of limitations. These include: (1) students do not handle soil or rock nor operate test apparatus, hence, they cannot learn from these important experiences; (2) students may not appreciate experimental errors nor the time needed to carry out some geotechnical tests; (3) if the CAL resources are poorly designed, the student may be more concerned with navigating or ‘playing’ the software than with learning; (4) hardware limitations may cause the software to crash or the web-navigator to be unbearably slow, hence, detracting from the learning experience. As a consequence, CAL should not be seen as a panacea but as another tool in the teacher’s armoury of techniques and delivery modes. This paper presents a list and brief description of the various CAL resources currently available in geoengineering. To date, these resources include stand-alone PC-based programs, multimedia CD-ROMs and web-based simulations and courseware. These resources are divided into those relating to geotechnical engineering and those concerned with engineering and environmental geology. Where available, web URLs, email addresses and references to relevant papers are given. An excellent internet site, which lists an extensive source of links to geotechnical engineering software, is provided by the Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Software Directory (www.ggsd.com) which also provides a list of educational links. CAL RESOURCES CURRENTLY AVAILABLE IN GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING Bolton Institute CAL Courseware Type: Web-based courseware URL: www.technology.bolton.ac.uk/civils/mscenvgeo This web-based courseware is designed to support the MSc program in Environmental Technology at the Bolton Institute, UK. Existing materials relate to contaminated land and address: history and political initiatives; soil assessment; water assessment and reclamation, including innovative treatment methods. Materials on ground investigation are under development. (At the time of writing the paper, the URL was inaccessible).

1

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Adelaide, S.A., 5005, Australia Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Adelaide, S.A., 5005, Australia 3 Faculty of the Built Environment, University of West England, Bristol, UK 4 School of Civil & Structural Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 2

Characterisation and Classification of Soils Developer: Instituto Militar de Engenharia, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil This CD-ROM (in Portuguese) describes the procedures for characterising and classifying soils according to the HRB and USCS schemes. It describes the measurement of particle density, water content, liquid limit, plastic limit, shrinkage limit and particle size distribution. The CD-ROM also includes video clips of the various tests. CIVCAL Type: Web-based resource URL: civcal.media.hku.hk CIVCAL (Fig. 1) is a web-based collection of civil engineering projects in the Hong Kong region. The collection consists of descriptions, diagrams and photographs. The authors suggest that, in many ways, an actual site visit may be adequately replaced and, in fact, in some respects enhanced through a virtual site visit that makes use of computer and multimedia technology. In addition, computer-based multimedia materials have been developed for use in conjunction with lectures, laboratory sessions, tutorials and for independent study to assist students in developing competence in solving engineering problems. CATIGE for Windows Type: PC-based programs Reference: Jaksa et al. (1996) URL: www.civeng.adelaide.edu.au/CATIGE

Figure 1 : CIVCAL Availability: Commercial/Freeware; Email: [email protected]

CATIGE (computer aided teaching in geotechnical engineering) for Windows is a suite of 15 Windowsbased programs written for undergraduate students to assist in the teaching and learning of fundamental geotechnical engineering principles. The suite consists of the following stand-alone programs: • Class4W (Unified Soil Classification) guides students through the process of identifying and classifying soils using the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS). Class4W uses CATIGE’s six hypothetical soils and allows the user to choose various laboratory tests and field identification techniques to identify the soils. The results of Liquid Limit tests and sieve analyses can be plotted to assist the user in classifying the soils. In order to make the process realistic, the user is given a budget and each laboratory test is charged against this budget. The user is asked to suggest the USCS symbol for the selected soil. • Consol4W (Consolidation Processes) provides an introduction to the processes that occur during onedimensional consolidation. Consol4W allows the user to choose one of the standard soils, one- or twoway drainage, the thickness of the consolidating layer, the stress increment, and the time interval between results. Consol4W displays the consolidating layer as well as graphs of excess porewater pressure vs. depth of the layer, and the change in layer thickness vs. time. • Dams4W (2D Seepage Analysis) illustrates the two-dimensional flow beneath a dam, sheet-pile, or other user-defined retaining structure. The user may specify boundary hydraulic heads, soil permeability and the geometry of the retaining structure. By choosing a location within the flow field, Dams4W plots a flow velocity or equipotential vector. Performing this at several locations within the flow field, the user may generate a flow net consisting of flow lines and equipotential lines. The emphasis of Dams4W is not to produce a flow net but to facilitate the task and to involve the user in the process. • DSand4W (Direct Shear Test in Sand) (Fig. 2) is a graphical representation of the direct shear test performed on specimens of sand. The user may select either dry sand, or a saturated sand with water pressure, tested in a loose, medium, or dense state. After specifying the hanger load, DSand4W animates the test apparatus and plots the result on a shear stress vs. displacement and a normal stress vs. peak shear stress graph. The user is then able to perform additional tests with different hanger loads, after which, the user may estimate the internal angle of friction, φ.

• Effect4W (Vertical Effective Stresses) seeks to reinforce the understanding of vertical effective stresses. Up to four separate soil layers may be input with different void ratios, bulk unit weights, moisture contents, and specific gravities. Effect4W plots the total and effective stresses and the porewater pressure as a function of depth, and allows the user to view the effect of varying the depth of the water table. • Expansiv (Influence of Expansive Soil Heave) allows the user to input a soil profile characterised by the number of soil layers; their thicknesses and instability indices; and the soil suction profile. Expansiv calculates the amount of surface heave associated with the soil profile, and displays the distortion of a Figure 2 : DSand4W residential dwelling as a function of this heave, as well as a description of the process that is occurring. In addition, external factors such as: seasonal effects; leaking services; poor stormwater drainage; and tree effects can also be examined. • FallingW (Falling Head Test) provides the user with an introduction to the measurement of the permeability of soils by means of the falling head test. After choosing a soil, air pressure and time interval, FallingW animates the test, and the head of the water in the standpipe is plotted against time. The user is able to start and stop a timer, thereby enabling values to be recorded throughout the test. After completing the test the user is able to evaluate the permeability of the soil. • GeoUnits (Geotechnical Engineering Unit Converter) is a utility program that allows the user to convert between SI units and British/US units. The program is specifically designed for use in geotechnical engineering and incorporates 9 different categories of units: Length; Area; Volume; Mass; Force; Pressure/Stress; Density/Unit Weight; Velocity/Permeability; and Acceleration. (Freeware) • Heave (Expansive Soil Heave Calculator) calculates the surface heave, ys , and the design heave, ym , of an expansive soil profile in accordance with the Australian Standard AS 2870. In addition, Heave calculates the influence of trees on ys . • Mohr4W (Mohr Circle of Stress) demonstrates two-dimensional stress transformation by means of the Mohr circle. An element of soil is displayed with user defined values of horizontal and vertical stresses, and as the user rotates the element, Mohr4W plots a vector representation of the normal and shear stresses, and plots the Mohr circle. (Freeware) • Phase (Phase Relationship Calculator) calculates the phase relationships of a soil. A minimum of 3 parameters is needed to evaluate the remaining parameters. Phase calculates the moisture content, void ratio, porosity, degree of saturation, specific gravity of solids, and the bulk, dry, saturated and submerged unit weights and the program incorporates a flexible solver that allows input in any combination. Phase uses both SI and British/US units. In addition, Phase provides extensive help facilities including an example problem and a set of tutorial questions. • ProctorW (Proctor Compaction Test) demonstrates the Proctor, as well as the modified Proctor, compaction tests. The user may choose one of CATIGE’s six hypothetical soils and the type of Proctor test. The process is demonstrated by using an animated graphics screen and, if desired, sound. Proctor4W guides the user through the compaction test procedure and plots the results on a standard compaction graph. The user is able to add or remove moisture and repeat the test, enabling several compaction points to be determined. Having done this, the user is then asked to estimate the optimum moisture content and the maximum dry unit weight of the soil. (Freeware) • Retain4W (Sheet Pile Retaining Wall Analysis) demonstrates the analysis of cantilever sheet pile retaining walls which is based on the Rankine earth pressure theory. Retain4W allows the user to input different soil properties and water tables on both the active and passive sides of the wall, and calculates the sliding forces, overturning moments, and the factors of safety against sliding and overturning. If the

factors of safety are less than one, Retain4W animates the wall and displays its collapse, dependent on which mode of failure occurs. • Triax4W (Triaxial Test) simulates the triaxial testing of soils. All six of CATIGE’s soils can be tested, using drained or undrained conditions. The axial stress and cell pressure can be increased or decreased during the test, and the drainage valve can be opened or closed at any time. An axial stress-axial strain graph and a p, p', q stress path can be plotted. Porewater pressures are measured and displayed throughout the test. • CATHelp (CATIGE for Windows Help) provides on-line help on each of the CATIGE for Windows programs. Three of the programs are available free-of-charge as fully-functional demonstrations, whereas the entire suite can be purchased either as a single or site license. CATIGE for Windows is currently being used by 13 universities throughout the world. Delft Resources Type: PC-based programs Availability: Freeware; URL: geo.citg.tudelft.nl/software/software_e.htm Email: [email protected] The Geotechnical Laboratory of the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Delft University of Technology provides 7 stand-alone programs. Whilst not strictly CAL, these programs, which perform various analyses, supplement their current geotechnical engineering courses. The downloadable programs are: ALP99 (analysis of axially loaded elastic piles supported by elasto-plastic springs); Beaver (modelling of groundwater flow and pollution); GWDivide (modelling of groundwater flow under a water divide); LLP99 (analysis of laterally loaded piles on elasto-plastic springs); SPW99 (analysis of sheet pile walls on elastoplastic springs); Stabil99 (analysis of slope stability using Bishop’s method); and Winkler (analysis of a beam on an elastic foundation). ESP Type: PC-based program Reference: Oliver and Oliphant (1999) Availability: Freeware; URL: www.civ.hw.ac.uk/research/sysgeo/research_aitechniques.htm Email: [email protected] ESP (effective stress package) (Fig. 3) is a PowerPoint-type presentation program which seeks to assist students in learning the concept of effective stress. The stand-alone executable file consists of 3 topics – total vertical stress, pore water pressure and effective stress; each of which are subdivided into 3 sections – theory, worked Figure 3 : ESP examples and a test. The test sections provide a high degree of interactivity and the program reacts to students’ answers and provides informative feedback when mistakes are made, advising how an error can be corrected. The authors demonstrate improved learning as a result of using ESP. GeoMeca Type: Web-based resource URL: geomeca.ecp.fr Email: [email protected] GeoMeca is the web site of KSO (Knowledge Synthesis Organisation) whose aim is to provide a better understanding of the in situ properties of the soils and rock for tunnels, foundations, dams and roads. The website contains a number of photographs of geotechnical engineering aspects from France, Belgium and Portugal. The site also contains a number of video clips exhibiting different aspects of soil behaviour and information regarding CD-ROMs.

GeotechniCAL Type: PC-based programs URL: geocal.uwe.ac.uk

Reference: Davison (1996) Availability: Freeware; Email: [email protected]

GeotechniCAL is the result of the UK higher education Teaching and Learning Technology Programme (TLTP). The first two stages of the TLTP involved 76 projects which attracted total funds of £33 million. GeotechniCAL was funded for 3 years from 1993 to 1996 under TLTP Stage 2 and consists of the following: • ConFound (Preliminary Design of Foundations): Reference: Toll and Barr (1996, 1998) Email: [email protected] ConFound (Fig. 7) is a knowledge-based system (KBS) developed for preliminary (conceptual) design of foundations. It is specifically designed for use as a CAL tool. The KBS will offer a critical assessment of the decision after it has been made. By offering the student alternatives and highlighting any factors that must be considered it is thought to give the student a better understanding of the processes behind foundation design. Whilst it is backed up by extensive reference material in the form of Help files, a certain degree of understanding of geotechnics and foundation engineering is expected. The system is therefore seen as a supplement to a lecture course, not a replacement. Its primary use is intended to be in conjunction with design projects. Confound provides the student the opportunity to investigate possibilities, whilst getting instant feedback on their decisions, something not possible with large class sizes or through other forms of self study. • GeotechniCAL Reference (Hypertext Manual): Reference: Davison and Poritt (1999) Email: [email protected] Reference (Fig. 4) provides demonstration case studies (e.g. steel sheet piling) and a glossary. In addition to the normal Windows on-line help, a hypertext geotechnical reference manual can be accessed from all parts of the GeotechniCAL software. The reference material is a collection of Windows Help files, one for each subject: Basic mechanics; Soil mechanics; Groundwater; Foundations; Retaining walls; Slope stability. Each file contains a structure of short pages, giving an overview of the subject, leading to levels of increasing detail, plus summaries of case studies and references to journals and texts. Definitions of terms are provided by pop-up entries from the glossary. Many of the diagrams and symbols also have hot-spots with pop-up labels and definitions.

Figure 4 : Reference • GeotechniCAL Tutorial (Hypertext Tutorials): Reference: Davison and Poritt (1999) Email: [email protected] The Tutorial package contains the GeoTutor computer program and paper-based workbooks which, together, introduce the principles of geotechnical engineering. For each task in the workbook, there is a corresponding part of GeoTutor to be selected. GeoTutor enables students to explore some of the important concepts by manipulating simple models and observing the effect. It contains activities, spreadsheets and self-assessment quizzes, linked to the hypertext reference information; all designed to support students working through the workbook tasks. The activity settings (including soil parameters and spreadsheet formulae), quiz questions and guided tours are stored in simple text files which can all be edited by the tutor.

• LabSim (Laboratory Simulation of Triaxial Testing): Reference: Davison (1996) Email: [email protected] The principal objective and mode of use of LabSim (Fig. 5) is to provide students with the opportunity to carry out Figure 5 : LabSim

triaxial tests on-screen. The emphasis is on understanding soil behaviour and, only secondarily, training in test procedures. A companion program (Configur) allows instructors to modify the LabSim simulation, to reflect their own requirements for technical content, soil types, quiz questions and learning styles. The main screen of the LabSim simulation depicts a schematic of the triaxial cell, complete with cell pressure gauge, pore water pressure gauge, load cells, drainage ports, clock etc. During the consolidation phase, three plots are displayed (versus time): mean effective stress, pore water pressure and volume change. During the loading phase, the on-screen plots are: pore water pressure response, axial stress-strain response, stress paths, and volume change. • Site Investigation (Site Investigation Game/Simulation): Reference: Moran et al. (1997) Email: [email protected] or [email protected] The package comprises a Site Investigation game, supported by a series of tutorial modules. The tutoring modules are designed to enable students to learn about the basic constituents of a site investigation, to see the range of information available and its usage. The game enables students to encounter, through images, animation, video and audio, the challenges of the real life site investigation. • Spires (2D Seepage Flow): Developer: Oxford Geotechnica International, Durham University Science Park, Mountjoy Research Centre, Durham, England, DH1 3SW

Spires consists of 3 separate programs SefCut, SefDam and SefWeir (Fig. 6). They enable the user to modify the parameters in standard seepage flow problems, and calculate the two-dimensional flow nets. SefCut models flow into an excavation in layered soil supported by a sheet pile wall. Excavation size, sheet pile depth, layer thickness and permeability can all be altered. SefDam demonstrates flow through a simple earth dam with a core of different permeability. The Figure 6 : Spires - SefWeir side slopes, crest width, location and width of the core, upstream and downstream water levels can all be altered, as well as the permeabilities of the dam and core materials. SefWeir models flow below an impermeable structure, with the possibility of including a cut-off. The location and depth of the cut-off can be altered. • SSI (Soil-Structure Interaction – Finite Element Analysis): Reference: Davison (1996) Email: [email protected] SSI (soil-structure interaction), shown in Fig. 7, is a finite element program which endeavours to teach students SSI without them having to learn the intricacies of finite element theory or mesh generation. The software presents a number of SSI “problems” (walls, embankments, foundations, tunnels) and within each of these there are a number of “topics” (e.g. embedded wall and wall with a berm under the walls problem). Within each topic one can vary a number of system parameters Figure 7 : SSI – embedded wall (e.g. soil stiffness and structural dimensions) and examine the effects of these changes. The program incorporates quizzes to allow students or lecturers to check progress, and a tutorial on the basic operation of the software. To February 1999, 335 people have registered as users of GeotechniCAL. Unfortunately, it is not possible to determine how these people are using the software, if at all. Audits of the entire TLTP show a disappointing level of takeup across all 76 projects. The TLTP Stage 3 is smaller than the previous two stages, £10.6 million compared with £33 million, and focuses on integration into the curriculum rather than new development. Unfortunately, much of the TLTP software is too prescriptive and cannot be tailored to individual courses and many are written in 16-bit format and will not operate in Windows NT.

Geotechnical Courseware Type: Web-based simulations and CD-ROM resource Reference: Budhu, M. (1999a, b, 2000) URL: www.u.arizona.edu/~budhu/courseware.html Email: [email protected] Geotechnical Courseware consists of the following web-based simulations: • Consolidation Concept is an interactive simulation of the process of consolidation of fine-grained soils. Students interact with the software to get an understanding of the important aspects of the time dependent settlement of soils. Cost: $US250 • Virtual Consolidation Test provides an interactive simulation of the oedometer test. It is not intended to eliminate the actual test but to complement hands-on experience; to extend the range and convenience of testing; to test a student’s prior knowledge; to guide the student through the testing; to allow the student to prepare and interpret the test results, and to evaluate the student’s understanding of the calculations involved and the interpretation of the test results. Throughout the exercises, the student can monitor her/his performance and seek on-line help. • Virtual Triaxial Test is a multimedia web-based resource that is intended to replicate all the procedures that a student will perform in a real laboratory setting. Some key features of the virtual triaxial test courseware include: (1) A simulated 3D apparatus with functional gauges and other instrumentation in a virtual laboratory; (2) Each student has their own personal virtual apparatus and soil sample; (3) A student can assemble the apparatus, prepare a test sample, place the sample in the apparatus, add loads, witness the deformation of the sample and plots of the results, and determine soil parameters from the test results by calculations and by using a virtual Mohr’s circle program utility; (4) The courseware tests a student’s prior knowledge that is relevant to the triaxial test and quizzes the students during the virtual laboratory exercise to evaluate learning outcomes; (5) Students are provided with immediate feedback, performance evaluation and help; (6) Several 'what-if' situations are coded into the courseware. For example, if a drained test was conducted, the student has the option to conduct an undrained test on the same soil and or retest the soil at a different overconsolidation ratio. Heriot-Watt University CAL Courseware Type: Web-based courseware URL: www.civ.hw.ac.uk/online.html Reference: Paul (1997) Heriot-Watt University, UK, offers two sets of web-based courseware relevant to geoengineering: • Environmental Science A: Coastal Change in the Moray Firth is designed to support the practical classes on environmental change in the Moray Firth, Scotland. To date, the courseware provides a basic visit to the area around Ardersier, with topological and geological maps, and aerial and ground photographs. • Topics in Environmental Geotechnics provides lectures notes, illustrations, lists of references (with abstracts), case studies, frequently asked questions and self-assessment tests. It is intended to reinforce limited class contact time. Materials include the investigation of contaminated land. MECSOLOS (REESC) Type: PC-based resource Reference: Ferreira (1998) Email: [email protected]

URL: reesc.ctclab.ufsc.br

MECSOLOS makes use of text (in Portuguese), images, graphical illustrations and animation to help students to learn stress distribution in soils. This forms one application of the REESC Project (Reengineering of the Engineering Education in Santa Catarina) which involves seven universities of the state of Santa Caterina. Multimedia Geotechnical Laboratory Testing (Under development) Type: Multimedia CD-ROM Reference: Sharma & Hardcastle (1999a,b) Email: [email protected] This multimedia CD-ROM seeks to demonstrate geotechnical laboratory test procedures which include water content, weight-volume relationships; visual soil classification; atterberg limits; grain size distribution; compaction tests; field density testing; permeability tests; consolidation testing; direct shear and triaxial testing. Using Toolbook, each module contains reference material, modelling and simulation using 3D graphics and video and an interactive tutorial and quiz to test the students’ understanding.

Multimedia Soil Laboratory (Under development) Type: Multimedia CD-ROM Reference: Alani and Barnes (1999) (University of Portsmouth) This multimedia CD-ROM, with the use of videos and photographs, provides a panoramic tour of a geotechnical laboratory. Help files and digitised images provide details of apparatus, sample preparation and test procedures for standard soil mechanics tests which include particle size distribution; moisture content; atterberg limits; compaction; field density; permeability; shear box, triaxial and oedometer testing. It is also being developed using Toolbook. SLOPE/W Type: PC-based resource URL: www.geo-slope.com GEO-SLOPE has recently released a student version of its popular and extensive SLOPE/W package (Fig. 8). SLOPE/W uses limit equilibrium theory to compute the factor of safety of earth and rock slopes. The student edition is a limited version of the complete full-featured software and can only be used for educational and learning purposes. The student edition can: (i) analyse problems with two different soils plus a bedrock layer; (ii) describe the soil Figure 8 : SLOPE/W with a total unit weight, cohesion and/or a friction angle; (iii) specify pore-water pressure conditions with a single piezometric line; (iv) examine circular and non-circular slip surfaces; and (v) compute factors of safety using six different methods of slices. University of Durham CAL Courseware Type: Web-based courseware URL: www.dur.ac.uk/~des0www4/cal The University of Durham, UK, offers 3 sets of web-based courseware relevant to geoengineering: • Dam Design (Graham 1997) is a series of web pages that provides comprehensive information on concrete and embankment dams. There are sections on loading, site investigation, geology, hydrogeology, foundations, spillways, and construction of dams. Dam Design includes some limited selfassessment questions and worked examples, a glossary and reference lists. • Road Design (Wilkinson 1997) is a series of web pages that contain reference materials concerning road design, based mainly on the UK Department of Transport’s Design Manual for Roads and Bridges. Road Design includes sections on history; traffic analysis; site investigation; earthworks and pavement design. • Slope Design (Connolly 1997) is a series of web pages that contain reference materials on slope stability. Slope Design includes sections on introduction to slopes; introduction to slope instability; slope stability analysis; remedial and corrective measures for failing slopes and case studies. Some limited example slope stability problems are also provided without solutions. Virtual Reality Triaxial Test Type: Web-based simulation Reference: Davison & Porritt (1999) URL: geocal.uwe.ac.uk Email: [email protected] Virtual Reality Triaxial Test (Fig. 9) is a virtual reality simulation of the triaxial test which uses VRML (Virtual Reality Modelling Language) to provide the 3-D effects. The program allows the user to place a sample in the cell, to consolidate it and to apply axial loading. It is a simple prototype, but demonstrates the potential for virtual reality as a teaching/learning tool.

Figure 9 : Virtual reality triaxial test

CAL RESOURCES CURRENTLY AVAILABLE IN ENGINEERING AND ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY Earth Matters (Environmental Geology CD-ROM) Type: Multimedia CD-ROM Supplier: Freeman, W. H. Availability: $US36; URL: www.whfreeman.com Authors: J. Dunning & L. Onesti (Indiana University, Bloomington) Earth Matters is a fully-interactive student CD-ROM that explores a broad range of topics and concepts central to the study of environmental geology. Earth Matters can be used as a supplement to any introductory geology course, environmental geology course, or in any course where environmental issues are stressed – regardless of the textbook in use or the type of course. A 120-page print companion offers further background on the topic, worksheets that can be used for homework, and a full glossary. Earth’nWare Type: Mac/PC CD-ROM Availability: CD-ROMs, diskettes, web download, individually priced Contact: Dr D DePaor, Earth’nWare Inc. 148 Cadish Ave, Hull, MA 02045 Earth’nWare offers a catalogue of software and resources in structural geology, geological mapping, physical geology and geophysics. Products range from field and microstructural image databases to interactive modelling software for rock deformation, strain analysis, stress analysis, sea floor spreading and transform fault modelling, and an array of other simulations Environmental Geology Type: Textbook with www links URL: www.mcgraw-hill.com

Supplier: McGraw Hill Author: Carla Montgomery (Indiana University, Bloomington)

The fifth edition of this popular textbook on Environmental Geology contains the usual range of basic geology topics (internal and surface processes, rocks & minerals) together with environmentally specific chapters on earth resources (water, soils, fuels, minerals etc.), waste disposal and other related topics such as environmental law, land-use planning and geomedicine. At the end of each chapter a comprehensive selection of NetNotes features web sites related to each chapter’s content and hints about how to use those sites. Explore – Interactive Multimedia Training Courses for Geoscientists Type: CD-ROM Supplier: Learning Curve Pty. Ltd., PO Box 666, Mawson ACT 2607 Availability: Price on request URL: www.learning-curve.com.au/explore/ben.html Learning Curve and the Australian Mining Industry have developed a series of Computer Assisted Learning CD-ROMs designed for the specific needs of the industry and for senior university and postgraduate students. The courses were developed by Learning Curve in conjunction with 14 of Australia’s largest mining companies via Australian Mineral Industry Research Association (AMIRA) sponsorship. Each course covers the same amount of material as a University semester course or a 5 day intensive workshop (40 hours). The packages are very comprehensive and include the following topics; Introduction to exploration, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Alteration, Airborne magnetic data analysis (James et al. 1995, Christie et al, 1996) and structural mapping. All packages were produced using Authorware and include comprehensive bibliographies and glossaries as well as case studies of real on-the-job scenarios. Demonstration disks are available for the topics mentioned as well as for CAL packages on Occupational Health and Safety. Geology of Australia Type: Multimedia CD-ROMs Supplier: CD Solutions URL: www.agso.gov.au/pdffiles/education

Availability: $125 (2 PC CD-ROMs)

The Geology of Australia CD is a comprehensive illustrated guide to the geology of Australia. It includes videoclips outlining the geology, exploration and resources of Australia, including gold, coal, oil and water. It explains how the geoscience community works and its vital importance to the Australian national economy.

Geophysical Teaching Suite Type: PC-based programs Developer: Gordon Cooper URL: www.wits.ac.za/science/geophysics/software.htm

Availability: Freeware; Email: [email protected]

Geophysical Teaching Suite is a range of DOS geophysical software developed for teaching purposes. The software performs magnetic modelling, gravity modelling, resistivity modelling and inversion, SP modelling and inversion, filtering of geophysical map and profile data. The software comes complete with manuals and test data sets. GLG-Map 2.0 Type: PC-based program Availability: £120 single licence, £500 site licence – Mac or PC diskette Supplier: Dept of Geology & Geophysics, University of Edinburgh, West Mains Rd, Edinburgh EH9 3JW GLG Map is a computer program that converts information extracted from a geological map in text form into a data structure that may be displayed as any number of map, cross-section and 3D views. The text file contains information on topography, fault locations and orientations, bed dip and contact locations etc. Topographic and structure contours may be selectively calculated and displayed. Viewing windows may be full screen or tiled. A comprehensive list of exercises designed to teach basic interpretation of geological maps have been developed and tested. GRIPS 2 (Government Raster Image Processing) Software and Data Type: PC-based program Contact: Meridian Data Inc, 5615 Scotts Valley, CA 95066 Landsat, SLAR and 3-D colour relief image data ranging from topography and vegetation maps to fractal images. Image display software such as Pixel Pusher and PC Show allow students to view, enhance and analyse image data files In-TERRA-Active Type: Multimedia CD-ROM URL: www.wadsworth.com

Supplier: Wadsworth Publishing Availability: $US34; Authors: P.E. Brown (Uni. of Wisconsin) & J. Dunning (Indiana Uni.)

In-TERRA-Active is a multimedia, fully interactive physical geology textbook. It contains 40 modules on earthquakes, plate tectonics, volcanoes, rocks, minerals, surface processes, and environmental geology, among others. The CD-ROM includes video clips, photographs and animations and was programmed using Authorware. JEdI (Joint Education Initiative) Type: Multimedia CD-ROMs URL: mapping.usgs.gov/esic/cdrom/cdlist.html#t1

Availability: $US30 Reference: Sproull and Orzech (1991)

The JedI project compiled and released on 3 CDs a large quantity of digital datasets from US Government geoscience organisations. These included NOAA, US Geological Survey and NASA. Datasets and associated class activity books (Sproull & Orzech 1991) include topics such as Geophysics of North America (physiographic mapping, modelling coastal flooding, remote sensing of vegetation, and relationship between topography and gravity anomolies), TOMS (Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer) datasets on changing atmospheric ozone levels, SEISMIC – interpreting first motion from seismograms, POTS (Pacific Ocean Temperatures and Salinity) profiles of the Pacific Ocean, COMETS – identifying atoms and molecules in comets, ANTARCTICA – 3 views, VOYAGER – image enhancement of planets and GLORIA – analyzing and mapping the ocean floor. All datasets involve real raw data collected by the government agencies described, which can be enhanced, analysed and manipulated by students. Work activities books include exercises and tasks which although designed for US High Schools are sufficiently comprehensive and flexible to be adaptable to Tertiary study. Noddy Type: PC-based program Victoria, 3168 Australia

Contact: Dr Mark Jessel, Dept. of Earth Sciences, Monash University, URL: www.earth.monash.edu.au/noddy.html

Noddy is a computer program that allows the integration of forward modelling of 3-D geological structures

and the resultant geophysical response for complex deformed terrains (Jessel and Valenta 1996). Information collected by geologists and geophysicists may be reconciled developing a simplified kinematic structural, history of an area. Successive structural elements may be added including folding, shearing, and intrusion. Potential field magnetic and gravity anomolies may then be modelled assuming specific geophysical rock properties. Physical Geography of the Global Environment Type: Multimedia CD-ROMs Supplier: New Media Labs. – John Wiley & Sons. URL: www.ems.psu.edu/People/DiBiase.html Six interactive modules are available in the introductory physical geography series of the New Media labs. They are environmentally based and include Koppen Classification system, Global Vegetation, Climate Dynamics, The Greenhouse Effect, Ozone Depletion and Volcanism. They can be used by individual students as homework assignments, semester projects or as study aids – or they can be used for classroom presentation. Exercises include drag and drop map painting, flipbook and hyperlinked maps and diagrams. Practical Rock Engineering Type: Lecture notes/programs Author: Evert Hoek URL: www.rocscience.com/Hoekcorner.htm

Availability: Freeware; Email: [email protected]

Practical Rock Engineering is the web site of RocScience and contains an extensive set of notes (in pdf format) on Practical Rock Engineering by Evert Hoek. The 16 chapters include: Development of rock engineering; When is a rock engineering design acceptable; Rock mass classification; Shear strength of discontinuities; Structurally controlled instability in tunnels; The Rio Grande project - Argentina; A slope stability problem in Hong Kong; Factor of safety and probability of failure; Analysis of rockfall hazards; In situ and induced stresses; Rock mass properties; Tunnels in weak rock; Large Powerhouse caverns in weak rock; Rockbolts and cables; Shotcrete support; Blasting damage in rock. In addition, the site contains links to RocScience’s commercial software which includes demonstration versions. RockWorks99 Type: Earth Science CD-ROM Software URL: www.rockware.com

Availability: Packages individually priced Supplier: RockWare, Inc.

The RockWare Company offers the most comprehensive range of microcomputer software for the earth science academic and industrial community. Packages are available for digitising data, image processing, geochemistry, geophysics etc., plus integrated packages such as RockWorks99. This last package has an array of mapping, gridding, contouring, draping etc. tools, plus more specialised statistical, stereographic and modelling applications. Structure Lab 1 Type: PC-based program Reference: De Paor & Simpson 1996 Contact: Dr D. De Paor, Dept of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University, 20 Oxford St, Cambridge MA 02138 Structure Lab 1 is a Macintosh application designed for use in the first few laboratory classes of introductory structural geology (De Paor & Simpson 1996). Students use the package to relate the orientations of planar structures on a map, stereonet and cross-section. The package automatically solves strike line, apparent vs. true dip and three-point problems. TASA – Interactive Educational Computer Software Type: Multimedia CD-ROMs Availability: Mac/PC, Single User $85 each, Multi-User $155 each URL: www.swcp.com/~tasa/index.html Supplier: TASA Graphics, 15 Nexus Lane, Tijeras, New Mexico, 87059 TASA Graphics produces an array of CAL and multimedia titles in Geoscience and the Environment. The Theory of Plate Tectonics is an interactive CD with content including evidence for continental drift, sea floor spreading and plate tectonics. Structures (plate boundaries), models and mechanisms are included. Animated sequences, photos and video enhance the educational experience. Other educational interactive CD-ROM topics include Studies of Rocks and Minerals, An Illustrated Dictionary of Earth Sciences, Digital Field Trips, Introduction to Topographic Maps and Exploration of the Solar System Planets.

The Virtual Microscope Type: Web-based simulation and CD-ROM

URL: www.man.ac.uk/~ukescc

The Virtual Microscope is a very sophisticated simulation of what rocks look like when thin slices are illuminated under transmitted non-polarised and polarised light (Robinson 1995). It was originally developed to help disabled students, but has since proved to be an ideal way of introducing all students to microscope work. The full package was produced using Macromedia Director and is available on the www or as a 544MB CD-ROM. Twelve classic thin sections can be viewed on a simulated light table and then examined in detail under the Virtual Microscope. Rock types include igneous and metamorphic rocks (basalt, peridotite, pumice, gneiss, slate etc.), which reveal spectacularly colourful minerals and textures when enlarged. The slides can even be virtually rotated to show their polarising characteristics. Neither the thin sections nor the microscopes can be broken – a favourite student pastime. UKESCC (UK Earth Science Consortium Courseware) Type: Multimedia CD-ROMs Availability: $A1500 on www and CD-ROM URL: http://www.man.ac.uk/~ukescc Supplier: UKESCC, Dept of Earth Science, Manchester Uni. The UKESCC Club has developed a range of interactive CAL modules for various Tertiary level geoscience topics (Byron & Sowerbutts 1996). These were produced under the UK TLTP (Teaching and Learning Technology Program), with each module developed by a different UK University Geoscience Department. All modules are devised as independent tutorials and equate to approximately four hours of contact time. Many of the modules are specialised petrology or geochemistry topics, but a number could be useful in engineering or environmental studies. Examples of these include – Preparing for Fieldwork I: Using the compass/clinometer – sophisticated module allowing interactive measurement and sighting with a virtual Silva compass/clinometer; Preparing for Fieldwork II: Equipment and Safety in the Field – basic safety awareness for students undertaking fieldwork, plus recording of safety awareness training in case of litigation; Visualising Geology in Three Dimensions – exercises in understanding 3D representation of geological objects; Basic skills for earth sciences – mathematical simulations of common geoscientific parameters; Optical Mineralogy – operation of a virtual geoscientific computer; Geological Map Skills – basic geological map reading using geology of the UK British Geological Survey 10 Mile maps; Exploring the Shallow Subsurface Using Geophysics – environmental investigation of soils, aggregates etc, using seismic refraction, gravity and electrical resistivity surveying; Rock Deformation and Geological Structures – stress, strain, rheology and structures, Using Stereonets in Geology – interactive teaching of stereographic projection including a humourous dart board, game analog. FUTURE TRENDS It is likely that, in the future, CAL will enjoy a more prominent role in teaching and learning practices than at present. This is due to the continued falling costs of computer hardware, the increasing presence of the internet, and reduced resources available in the tertiary sector. Consequently, it seems certain that many more online courses will be offered over the World Wide Web. In addition, web-based simulations and virtual laboratories are likely to become more prevalent. Remote access to laboratory test apparatus via the internet is also likely to become a routine part of university education. As western universities vie for a greater presence in the developing world, many of these campuses will not have the resources to commit to expensive test facilities. Instead, students in these developing world institutions will be able to access test equipment located in the campuses of the western universities and run ‘real’ tests and acquire ‘real’ data via the internet. Multimedia CD-ROM textbooks will be far more prevalent than at present. Whilst not totally replacing the traditional paper texts, CD-ROMs will provide an important contribution to the teaching and learning resources currently available. For example, Liggett and Caughey (1998) is a complete multimedia textbook on CD-ROM. Complete with the usual multimedia offerings such as text, photographs, videos and animations, the CD-ROM also includes “active equations and graphs” and MatLab-based tools which provide powerful analytical and educational resources.

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