The Hotspot simulation

Lessons learnt over ten years of using technology in environmental science teaching

John Maskall, SoGEES, University of Plymouth

Mike Sanders, GEES Subject Centre

Presentation structure

• What is Hotspot?• Program demonstration• Intended benefits• Potential pitfalls• Implementation in the curriculum• Student experience• Lessons learnt

What is Hotspot?

http://hotspot.gees.ac.uk/

Intended benefits

Personalised

Flexible Interactive

Enjoyable

Challenging

Visual

Potential pitfalls

Authenticity

SecurityUsability

Reliability

Sustainability

Accessibility

Implementation

Week 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Introduction  

Literature review(scrapyard)          

Field day(lead mine)  

Practical session 1 (formative/lead mine)  

Feedback on literaturereview  

Practical session 2 (summative/scrapyard)  

Prepare SI report        

Lecture series                  

Student experience

Lessons Learnt

• Success of Hotspot is attributed to:– Program closely aligned to learning objectives– Content informed by staff research interests – Technology used within a sound pedagogical

framework– Curricular delivery anticipated at the earliest stages

of design– Blended with other teaching approaches to take the

best ‘from all worlds’– Availability of resources to maintain/adapt software

Acknowledgements

http:/www.ico3.com

Any Questions?