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Defining Aspects of the Seismology Learning Ecosystem by Exploring Introductory Seismology Courses and the Seismology Skill Building Workshop

Description: 

The Seismology Skill Building Workshop is a 12-week, Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) established in 2020. The course has three primary goals: to help students gain scientific computing skills, to increase interest in seismology, and to prepare students for graduate programs. Results from pre-/post- comparisons indicate that SSBW participants improved their scientific computation skills, interest in seismology and scientific computing, and readiness for graduate studies and/or careers in seismology by over 30%. To fully understand the relevance and impact of the SSBW and ensure the optimization of this course, we need to understand its position within the broader seismology learning ecosystem (SLE). This project aims to explore the scope and sequence of introductory seismology courses taught in the United States, the instructional methods used, and the scientific computing languages taught in these classes. This is accomplished through qualitative coding analysis of 7 introductory seismology course syllabi to build a survey for professors of introductory seismology courses. Surveys were sent to 64 potential faculty from the IRIS member representative list. Responses were analyzed using exploratory data analysis to examine trends in content, tools, and pedagogy. K-means clustering was used to examine potential different clusters of class types for comparison with the SSBW. Initial results indicate the 70-hour SSBW offers more in-depth instruction on computational and data access skills through class-based activities, while introductory courses provide more course content, primarily through lecture. Initial and future results will be used to benchmark and assess SSBW’s ability to prepare students for success. Additionally, this SLE review aims to help current professors reflect, evaluate and improve their courses, and guide early-career seismology professors as they build their own curriculum. Finally, the SLE review will be used to build an open-source, non-workshop based online tools through EarthScope for students interested in seismology graduate programs, promoting diversity and equity in the field.

Session: Adventures in Social Seismology: Ethical Engagement, Earthquake Early Warnings, Operational Forecasts, and Beyond [Poster]

Type: Poster

Date: 4/15/2025

Presentation Time: 08:00 AM (local time)

Presenting Author: Elise

Student Presenter: Yes

Invited Presentation: 

Poster Number: 126

Authors