Project Description

The Geology and General Science program at Portland Community College is exploring the production of podcasts to supplement course materials in G 148: Volcanoes and Earthquakes. The use of multimedia resources has accompanied the proliferation of online resources in the college classroom from online textbooks, videos, and interactive maps. This project seeks to develop course-specific audio resources to complement student learning. Interviews with researchers who have expertise in course-related content will be conducted over the course of summer 2019. Interviews will focus on explanation of course-specific content, touching upon the researcher’s personal background, and professional career path. This project provides the opportunity to deliver material in a non-traditional format that complements the diversity of learning styles. Research results and conclusions are typically presented in class, and this project not only allows students to hear about the process of science directly from researchers, it also presents science as accessible and personable by allowing scientists to share their personal path to becoming scientists, something that can allow students to envision a STEM career for themselves.

Project Implementation

G 148: Volcanoes and Earthquakes is a course that focuses on two of the major natural hazards in the Pacific Northwest, both of which are the focus of a vibrant and active research community that is continually improving our understanding of Earth-processes in the region. Dr. Lalo Guerrero (PCC Instructor) will be scheduling and conducting interviews during the summer of 2019 with regional and internationally-based researchers who are focused on Earthquake and Volcano science. The realization that the Cascadia subduction zone poses a serious seismic threat is less than 40 years old, and most of the workers who uncovered and pieced together the evidence are still alive, which will give students a first hand lesson on their work and personal experience. Vancouver, Washington is home to the United States’ Geological Survey’s Cascade Volcano Observatory, which is responsible for monitoring of the active Cascade volcanoes. The goal is to record 10 interviews, and for each to correspond with the weekly theme of the academic term, which in turn corresponds to the Course Content and Outcome Guide.

Next Steps

Podcasts will be made available for students in G148: Volcanoes and Earthquakes taught by Dr. Guerrero through the Desire2Learn/Brightspace Learning Management System for classes in the 2019-2020 academic year, they will also be made available for other instructors who teach the class. Questions regarding the usefulness of the audio formatted material will be included in course evaluations to determine their value as standard course materials.