Riggs Group
Field Navigation, Cognition and Problem Solving
The Riggs Group, associated past and current students, and collaborators have undertaken a coordinated set of studies of student navigation during field problem solving associated with geologic mapping exercises and examinations. We are exploring the links between research traditions in Naturalistic Decision Making and the cognition and problem solving evident in student navigation data, field notes, and finished field maps.
This site is under continuous development and new materials, references, extended abstracts, and articles will be added as they are ready. Updated March, 2010.
Articles/Abstracts
Effectiveness in problem solving during geologic field examinations: Insights from analysis of GPS tracks at variable time scales, by E.M.Riggs, R.N. Balliet, and C.C. Lieder, in Whitmeyer, S.J., Mogk, D.W., and Pyle, E.J., eds, Field Geology Education: Historical Perspectives and Modern Approaches: Geological Society of America Special Paper 461, p. 323-340, December 2009
Geologic Problem Solving in the Field: Analysis of Field Navigation and Mapping by Advanced Undergraduates, by E.M. Riggs, C.C. Lieder and R.N. Balliet, Journal of Geoscience Education, V57, N1 - January 2009
For early results, please see the MS thesis of Chris Lieder under Past Students.
Navigation Tracks - JGE Paper study
Warning - these are LARGE files (~20 MB)
Reference Files - JGE paper study
Annotated PowerPoint presentation showing first navigation study area field area, bounded area, generalized geology, GPS hotspots and overlays of the above
NavStudy1-Figures.ppt
Coding scheme applied to polygon navigation
CodeFiguresV2.1.pdf
Narrative explanation of coding scheme
Coding_Definitions.pdf
Navigation Tracks - GSA Volume study
These are tracks from a second study area, accompanying a manuscript that is in review under consideration for an upcoming GSA Special Paper on field based geoscience teaching and learning. As this manuscript matures, it will be posted here in its entirety.
Warning - these are LARGE files (~20 MB)