257-7 Building an Audio Textbook for the Geosciences – Results from Preliminary User Feedback and Usage

Session: Diversifying Geoscience Education Across the Academic Playing Field: Using Creative Methods to Foster the Current and Next Generations of Geoscience Professionals (Posters)

Presenting Author:

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Abstract:

The Geosciences are often undervalued by society relative to similar fields, despite their growing importance to, and in, society. For instance, societally important topics such as critical minerals are being discussed by major media platforms and generally understood by the public. As such, it is imperative to continue to broaden access to the geosciences across a range of prospective student backgrounds. Student surveys and anecdotal data shows the limited appetite for traditional textbook consumption by modern students, while increasing access and points-of-entry for a diverse range of prospective students remains a high priority in the geosciences broadly.

Here we present preliminary results focused on production of an audio-based introductory textbook via a patented approach to audio-visual presentations. The content is designed for easy consumption on-the-go, with short audio discussions mixed with custom images and gifs that can be readily viewed and remembered. This type of audio-visual presentation allows for learning while driving, commuting, or doing other tasks, and hence broadens access to the introductory geosciences. The audiobook is currently offered for free on a custom mobile app called CampGeo, and is targeted introductory Physical Geology courses (or similar). We will present and update on the strategy, lessons learned throughout the content production process, and discuss preliminary information on usage examples. We look forward to discussions and feedback from colleagues in education and research.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program. Vol. 57, No. 6, 2025

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