Robert J. Stern*
Geoscience Dept., University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080, USA, rjstern@utdallas.edu
Jeffrey G. Ryan
School of Geosciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, USA, ryan@mail.usf.edu
Ning Wang
Geoscience Dept., University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080, USA, ning.wang@utdallas.edu
Victor Ricchezza
School of Geosciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, USA, ricchezza@mail.usf.edu
Siloa Willis
Geoscience Dept., University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080, USA, siiloa.willis@utdallas.edu
Abstract
We are in the midst of a “tectonic shift” in the way that undergraduate students want to learn.
They will attend lectures and read assignments if they must, but they are especially interested
in information that they can receive as videos on their cell phones and other mobile devices
(Prensky, 2001; Thomas, 2011). The geosciences are uniquely well-suited to presentation via
well-crafted, scientifically robust videos and animations. Geologic processes often take place
over thousands to hundreds of millions of years and occur deep under water or within the Earth,
where direct observation is not possible. Geology is synonymous with travel: Spectacular
outcrops and Earth phenomena occur around the world, requiring photos and video to be accessible
to most of us. Documenting natural disasters and the realities and impacts of climate change are
highly amenable to presentation via videos and animations. Finally, videos and animations about
the Earth allow these experiences to be shared with more diverse audiences. Sharing high-quality
videos and animations about Earth systems may stimulate student interest in the earth sciences
and help address longstanding concerns about enrollments in geoscience degree programs. However,
in spite of these considerations, the number of high-quality geoscientific videos to use for
these purposes continues to be inadequate. We hope through this article to spark discussion
about how to encourage more geoscientists to create scientifically accurate and engaging videos
and animations of Earth processes.
*Corresponding author.
Manuscript received 21 Jan. 2020. Manuscript accepted 26 Feb. 2020. Posted 17 March
2020.
https://doi.org/10.1130/GSATG451GW.1
© 2020, The Geological Society of America. CC-BY-NC.