Teaching Mineral-identification Skills Using an Expert System Computer Program Incorporating Digitized Video Images
Year: 1989
Type: article
Abstract: The similarity of mineral classification keys to decision trees prompted us to develop an expert system (MINID) for the purpose of teaching novices mineral identification skills. MINID represents an advance over other computer packages for mineral identification because: 1) its knowledge base is separate from the program that acts on it, making it easy for a non-programmer to modify and add to the knowledge base, 2) users can ask for additional information concerning the questions posed and the reasoning used by the program, and 3) explanations and answers appear as text and high quality video images. Physical geology students preferred MINID with pictures over two other mineral identification aids (classification key and MINID without pictures). This is probably because the images enhanced their ability to recognize minerals. Students also reported that both versions of the MINID program forced them to more closely and systematically observe mineral properties. The shortcomings in MINID (both with and wi...
Source: Journal of Geological Education
Language: English
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W262071319