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BLENDED TRAINING AND COLLABORATIVE LEARNING FOR SOFTWARE USERS IN THE GEOSCIENCES.
Session: Geotechnical Education Challenges / Défis de la formation en géotechnique
Efrosyni-Maria Skordaki, Royal Military College of Canada (Canada)
Susan Bainbridge, Centre for Distance Education, Athabasca University (Canada)
Geoscientists and geo-engineers use scientific software in applications that can directly affect public safety. Water quality geochemical assessments, modeling of contaminant transport in the environment or geological hazard risk assessments, all involve the use of scientific software (i.e. numerical modeling programs). Although training on this type of software is necessary to ensure correct scientific decisions, literature indicates that it is currently conducted without the backing of supportive theory. This study examines the delivery of scientific software training, in blended learning settings, through the eyes of software users in their natural setting of practice. Preliminary data reveal that scientific software users perceive training on this type of software as the process wherein the users inform their practices by developing their conceptual skills. This depends on their participation in knowledge mobilization activities within an online/onsite community of practice, ability to develop risk management strategies (i.e. checking their software assumptions) as well as the profile of the user (background/strengths, motivation regarding distance/self-directed learning or willingness to openly share information).
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