Using Student-Created Metaphors to Comprehend Geologic Time

Comprehension of geologic time does not come easily, especially for students who are studying the earth sciences for the first time. Nevertheless, an understanding of the vastness of earth history is valuable not only for understanding geologic rates and processes, but also for understanding evolutionary processes and the role of the human species on earth, both of which are important in motivating increasingly environmentally aware students. There are many ways to introduce students to geologic time, but the most effective techniques will probably be those that lead to an active involvement on the part of the student. One such technique is to have them create their own, individual, metaphor for geologic time. In the process of choosing an appropriate metaphor, selecting milestones in earth history (including their own life), and then scaling these events to their metaphor, the students lead themselves to discovery of the immensity of geologic time. This contrasts with the normally passive role of student...