Exploring Geology

by Stephen J. Reynolds, Julia K. Johnson (Contributor), Paul J. Morin (Contributor)

Exploring Geology by Reynolds/Johnson is an innovative textbook intended for an introductory college geology course, such as Physical Geology. This ground-breaking, visually spectacular book was designed from cognitive and educational research on how students think, learn, and study.Nearly all information in the book is built around 2,600 photographs and stunning illustrations, rather than being in long blocks of text that are not articulated with figures. These annotated illustrations help students visualize geologic processes and concepts, and are suited to the way most instructors already teach. To alleviate cognitive load and help students focus on one important geologic process or concept at a time, the book consists entirely of two-page spreads organized into 19 chapters. Each two-page spread is a self-contained block of information about a specific topic, emphasizing geologic concepts, processes, features, and approaches. These spreads help students learn and organize geologic knowledge in a new and exciting way.Inquiry is embedded throughout the book, modeling how geologists investigate problems. The title of each two-page spread and topic heading is a question intended to get readers to think about the topic and become interested and motivated to explore the two-page spread for answers. Each chapter is a learning cycle, which begins with a visually engaging two-page spread about a compelling geologic issue. Each chapter ends with an Investigation that challenges students with a problem associated with a virtual place. The world-class media, spectacular presentations, and assessments are all tightly articulated with the textbook. This book is designed to encourage students to observe, interpret, think critically, and engage in authentic inquiry, and is highly acclaimed by reviewers, instructors, and students.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Textbooks

672 pages, Paperback

Published January 19, 2018

About the author

Dr. Steve Reynolds is geology professor at Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ).

http://reynolds.asu.edu/

Reviews

[Rin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful overview. The pictures are great

[Chad Kwiatkowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unlike any other textbook you have ever seen before. Figure based, entirely composed of two-page spreads that make it easy to flip the book open to any point and start learning. This is an incredible resource for both those new to geology, as well as those who have studied geology for years and want an additional resource. Highly recommended, and way more conducive to learning than traditional text based books that make you flip 5 pages to view a referenced figure, and haven't considered how students learn. 5/5!

[Lexi Mag · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read this entire text via McGraw Hill Connect for a course. It was awful. Not formatted for any screen, couldn't look at the pictures they were describing and read or listen to the text at the same time. The text was clumsy and super hard to understand. Terrible book and program.

[Adeyemi Ridwan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book for beginners in the field of earthsciences

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect textbook for a visual learner such as myself.

[May · Rating 1 out of 5]

Geology--another subject I'm not cut out for. Maybe it would have been different if the class had been taught differently, but this book was essentially useless. To be fair: it's full of pictures and diagrams, which I suppose is helpful if you're an intensely visual learner with a strong interest in the subject. However, many of the pictures are so intricate that you don't know what to look at first. Many of the pages have a box that reads: "before leaving this page you should be able to..." Well, I usually was not able to [whatever]. I was successful in my class overall, but not because of the book. Seriously...I hate this book.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am now done with this book, and I have loved every moment of working out of it. The diagrams are great, and though it sometimes repeats information, it does so for a good reason, as some things apply to others, and one never knows what a teacher is and is not going to teach. I highly recommend this for any teacher looking for a good geology book.

[Hallie Huffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a simple format using actual photographs in full color and then dissections of those pictures. Great read!

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, real life examples, great diagrams/photos/graphs