This article describes an optional recitation course that was developed to supplement a traditionally taught lecture-plus-laboratory course in soil science. Popular, competitive games that would be familiar to students were revised to be "soils-based" and were employed in the recitation class. These games were seen as a potential means to use knowledge in an atypical fashion while at the same time ... Full description.

At most land-grant universities in the United States, Introduction to Soil Science is traditionally taught using a combination of lecture and laboratory formats. To promote engagement, improve comprehension, and enhance retention of content by students, the authors of this text developed a problem-based learning (PBL) introductory soil science course. Students work in groups to solve five real-life ... Full description.

This article describes a study in which researchers evaluated responses from students with different learning styles to the use of computer technology as a supplemental tool in teaching soil erosion concepts. The students participated in an online lesson on soil erosion and were tested before and after the lesson. They also completed two assessment tools, the Student Assessment of Learning Gains (SALG) ... Full description.

Users can access photographs of various forms of erosion, erosion damage, and "before and after" photos showing how the problem was brought under control. Each photograph is accompanied by a description of the activity which is taking place. Full description.

Sand covers only about 20 percent of the Earth's deserts. Nearly 50 percent of desert surfaces are gravel plains where removal of fine-grained material by the wind has exposed loose gravel and occasional cobbles. This web page, produced by the U.S. Geological Survey, features text and photographs that describe desert landforms, soils, plants, and the role of water in the formation of desert landscapes. ... Full description.

In this lab, students dig soil pits in order to observe, describe and interpret a soil profile. This Starting Point page lays out the exercise's learning goals, context for use, teaching notes and tips, teaching materials, assessment ideas, references and topics covered. Full description.

This site from SERC's Starting Point presents sample Gallery Walk questions about weathering and mass wasting. The questions encourage students to examine soil creep, weathering, erosion, and property evaluation methods for weathering and mass wasting. The activity also uses soil, topographic, and bedrock maps to locate a new subdivision. The questions are organized according to the cognitive level ... Full description.

The MODIS instrument, flying aboard NASAs Terra and Aqua satellites, measures how much solar radiation is reflected by the Earths surface almost every day over the entire planet. Zooming in on Africas Sahara Desert and the Arabian Peninsula, MODIS observed considerable variability in reflectance across the region-from the darkest volcanic terrains to the brightest sand. This matches specific soil ... Full description.

The MODIS instrument, flying aboard NASAs Terra and Aqua satellites, measures how much solar radiation is reflected by the Earths surface almost every day over the entire planet. Zooming in on Africas Sahara Desert and the Arabian Peninsula, MODIS observed considerable variability in reflectance across the region-from the darkest volcanic terrains to the brightest sand. This matches specific soil ... Full description.

The purpose of the handout is to identify the three major types of soils: pedalfer, pedocal, and laterite, and to understand the soil profile. This is accomplished with brief descriptions of the soil horizons and the designation of common elements to pedalfers, pedocals, and laterite soils. The handout is concluded with a discussion of soil erosion. Links are provided to the online Physical Geology ... Full description.