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Using the Interactive Software FossilSketch to Teach Micropaleontology to Undergraduate Students

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Title: Using the Interactive Software FossilSketch to Teach Micropaleontology to Undergraduate Students
Language: English
Authors: Anna Stepanova (ORCID 0000-0001-5927-6536), Christina Belanger (ORCID 0000-0002-1582-7647), Saira Anwar (ORCID 0000-0001-6947-3226), Christine Stanley (ORCID 0000-0002-8697-7220), Ankur Nath, Josh Cherian (ORCID 0000-0002-7749-2109), Tracy Hammond (ORCID 0000-0001-7272-0507)
Source: Journal of Geoscience Education. 2025 73(2):133-153.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 21
Publication Date: 2025
Sponsoring Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Contract Number: 1937827
2337105
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Paleontology, College Science, Science Instruction, Undergraduate Students, Web Based Instruction, Instructional Effectiveness, Majors (Students), Science Achievement, Student Attitudes
Geographic Terms: Texas
DOI: 10.1080/10899995.2024.2347156
ISSN: 1089-9995
Abstract: Micropaleontology is a critical tool for determining the ages of geologic records, reconstructing ancient environments, and monitoring modern ecosystem health. However, most students are not exposed to micropaleontology in their college coursework. To enable non-expert instructors to integrate microfossil identification training in their undergraduate courses, we developed FossilSketch, an interactive web-based educational tool that introduces students to the basics of micropaleontology and guides students through a scaffolded learning experience that develops microfossil identification skills. Here we test the impact of FossilSketch on students' ability to learn micropaleontology skills, such as identification of microfossils to genus level and basics of fossil data analysis, using data on students' performance and survey responses collected in an undergraduate paleontology course for geology majors at a large public university. A total of 112 students took part in this study. Analysis of classroom assessments showed that junior and senior geology majors who used FossilSketch were better able to understand the process of microfossil identification, recognize morphological characteristics, and achieve a correct identification than those who did not use FossilSketch. Students who used FossilSketch needed to ask the teaching assistant fewer questions and felt better prepared for specimen-based work than students who did not use FossilSketch. These results suggest that FossilSketch improves students' understanding of the microfossil identification process.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1470889
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Using the Interactive Software FossilSketch to Teach Micropaleontology to Undergraduate Students
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Anna+Stepanova%22">Anna Stepanova</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5927-6536">0000-0001-5927-6536</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Christina+Belanger%22">Christina Belanger</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1582-7647">0000-0002-1582-7647</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Saira+Anwar%22">Saira Anwar</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6947-3226">0000-0001-6947-3226</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Christine+Stanley%22">Christine Stanley</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8697-7220">0000-0002-8697-7220</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ankur+Nath%22">Ankur Nath</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Josh+Cherian%22">Josh Cherian</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7749-2109">0000-0002-7749-2109</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Tracy+Hammond%22">Tracy Hammond</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7272-0507">0000-0001-7272-0507</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Geoscience+Education%22"><i>Journal of Geoscience Education</i></searchLink>. 2025 73(2):133-153.
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  Data: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
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  Data: 21
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  Data: 2025
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  Data: National Science Foundation (NSF)
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  Data: 1937827<br />2337105
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Paleontology%22">Paleontology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Science%22">College Science</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Science+Instruction%22">Science Instruction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Undergraduate+Students%22">Undergraduate Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Web+Based+Instruction%22">Web Based Instruction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Instructional+Effectiveness%22">Instructional Effectiveness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Majors+%28Students%29%22">Majors (Students)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Science+Achievement%22">Science Achievement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Attitudes%22">Student Attitudes</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Texas%22">Texas</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1080/10899995.2024.2347156
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  Data: Micropaleontology is a critical tool for determining the ages of geologic records, reconstructing ancient environments, and monitoring modern ecosystem health. However, most students are not exposed to micropaleontology in their college coursework. To enable non-expert instructors to integrate microfossil identification training in their undergraduate courses, we developed FossilSketch, an interactive web-based educational tool that introduces students to the basics of micropaleontology and guides students through a scaffolded learning experience that develops microfossil identification skills. Here we test the impact of FossilSketch on students' ability to learn micropaleontology skills, such as identification of microfossils to genus level and basics of fossil data analysis, using data on students' performance and survey responses collected in an undergraduate paleontology course for geology majors at a large public university. A total of 112 students took part in this study. Analysis of classroom assessments showed that junior and senior geology majors who used FossilSketch were better able to understand the process of microfossil identification, recognize morphological characteristics, and achieve a correct identification than those who did not use FossilSketch. Students who used FossilSketch needed to ask the teaching assistant fewer questions and felt better prepared for specimen-based work than students who did not use FossilSketch. These results suggest that FossilSketch improves students' understanding of the microfossil identification process.
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        Value: 10.1080/10899995.2024.2347156
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        PageCount: 21
        StartPage: 133
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Paleontology
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      – SubjectFull: College Science
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      – SubjectFull: Science Instruction
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      – SubjectFull: Undergraduate Students
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      – SubjectFull: Texas
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      – TitleFull: Using the Interactive Software FossilSketch to Teach Micropaleontology to Undergraduate Students
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