Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Learn Geology Online

If you are fascinated with geology, there are many online resources to increase your knowledge.


The expansion of the Internet had made the world of distance learning easier than ever. In the past, distance courses depended on snail mail. Online classes today fully utilize modern technology with email, video conferencing, shared documents, class websites, and online resources. While the exciting field of geology does require you to get out and get your hands a little dirty, you can still learn geology from the comfort of your home, at whichever level you desire.


Instructions


1. Register to the Illinois State Museum's free, online, distance-learning program in geology. The program starts at a kindergarten level and goes to 12th grade, so kids and adults can start with the basics for an easy refresher or move straight to more advanced lessons. Lessons can be sorted by grade level or by topic like landforms, plate tectonics, and rock formations. These lessons can either be completed online in html format or downloaded as a PDF file.


2. Participate in Geology Labs Online, which features web activities for learning geology from middle-school level to college level. This website offers two main programs for individuals to choose from: the Virtual Earthquake Program lets users locate the epicenter of an earthquake and determine its magnitude on the Richter scale, and the Virtual Dating Program shows how scientists use various methods to date artifacts.


3. Join other online students at Athabasca University's Online Geology program that consists of eight courses. Classes at Athabasca University feature an intuitive learning management software called Moodle that allows students to study online while still maximizing their learning experience. The courses require that students perform home labs using kits that can be ordered online through the course syllabus, so students get a true hands-on science class.


4. Sign up for Geology 101 at Universal Class through its simple online registration form. Students have six months to complete the course, after which they receive a CEU (Continuing Education Unit) certificate. Geology 101 at Universal Class feature 13 lessons that cover important topics such as fossils, geomagnetism and rock types.


5. Register for a geology program at Bircham International University, which offers individuals the opportunity to earn a specialist degree, expert degree, or a bachelor's degree in the field of geology. Classes can also be taken a-la-cart in the subjects of earth science, hydrology, mineral deposits, volcanism and earthquakes or geomorphology.







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