Assessing fieldwork using an on-site geotest Martin STOKES, Anne MATHER, Jim GRIFFITHS School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University.

Assessing fieldwork using an on-site geotest

Martin STOKES, Anne MATHER, Jim GRIFFITHS

School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth

Talk Outline

• The field notebook & how important it is for assessment

• The Plymouth SE Spain field trip• A good notebook• The geotest: good/weak examples• Reflection• Scientific evaluation

Note different responses of layers to contraction.

Sketch (looking towards E) of synformal fold exposed in cliff just above wave-cut platform.

Location: north side of Bovisand Bay (Grid reference 491507)Weather: overcast, some rainN-S striking cliff section of interbedded fine-grained sandstones and siltstones of the Staddon Grit formation. Lower Devonian in age.

Cross-laminations in thin sst beds show that beds are right-way up.Therefore, structure is a syncline.

Monday 22/09/97

cleavage planes

fine sandstonebed

parasitic foldsin series of thin sst beds

refraction ofcleavage in sst bed

thin beds ofmudstone/siltstone

slight fanning of cleavage planes, butgenerally axial planar to major fold

bedding planes

Bedding 85/350

Bedding 25/175

Axial plane 49/190

Cleavage 40/185

Cleavage 50/1940 2m

N S

Example of a well-laid out page from a field notebook.

clarity, achieved by using line drawing without excessive shading

realism, but without attempting to show every feature. Restrict yourself to the key features only.

appropriate annotation. Observations should be tied into the sketch rather than listed separately.

scale bar and orientation (without these a sketch is unusable).

the inclusion of numerical data (in this case. dip and dip directions of planar features)into the sketch at the points where the data were collected.

As Stage One students, you are not expected to be able to produce a field sketch of this standard.You should use this as a model on which to base your own field notes.

It is not necessary, however, to be good at drawing to produce a sketch of this type.

The key features of a good field sketch or sketch map (regardless of the topic!) are:

FieldNotebooks

A ‘tool’ of the trade for recording field data!

A notebook should be:

• neat

• well organised

• give your location

• contain factual notes

with ‘accurate’ descriptions

• include feature descriptions of:

shape, size, orientation

Assessment of field data using notebooks

The FieldtripThe Fieldtrip

Stage 3 BSc Physical Geography and Geology

– <35 students– @ Urra field centre since

1995– on-site geotest since 1999

• Pre-trip lectures• February (Term 2)

– Geology– Geomorphology– Engineering– Logistics & assessment

• ~10 day fieldtrip• End March-April (Term 2)

Submarine fan feeder channel (Tabernas)Submarine fan feeder channel (Tabernas)

Quaternary raised beaches, Quaternary raised beaches, Macenas (Vera)Macenas (Vera)

Aguas-Feos river capture (Sorbas)Aguas-Feos river capture (Sorbas)

Introductory Field Days:Building Confidence and Skills

A little lecturingA little lecturing

Lot’s of hands-on data Lot’s of hands-on data collection and collection and

synthesis / evaluationsynthesis / evaluation

An example of ‘good’An example of ‘good’field notebook datafield notebook data

The Geotest

1 hour: answer 2 questions1 hour: answer 2 questions

Preparation for the Geotest

Examples of good geotest answers

2. Describe the different types of karst and pseudokarst developed in the Almeria province and the engineering implications.

6. Using evidence from the Tortonian and Serravallian sediments of the Tabernas Basin, reconstruct the palaeogeography for this period.

Example of a ‘weak’ geotest answer1. Use field examples to explain what you consider to be key controls on landscape development in the Sorbas Basin.

On-site geotest: reflections

Strengths– Focuses students on field tasks

& observations

– Tests:• Knowledge & understanding• Analysis, synthesis & evaluation• Information organisation &

retrieval

– Quick return of overall module grade

Weaknesses– Unfamiliarity with

assessment format

– Intensive learning environment

• Stress / pressure

– Test accommodation

Future Work?

Scientific evaluation?

• field notebook / geotest answer comparisons

• Qualitative / quantitative pedagogic research?

Thank youThank you

March 2010March 2010