Abstract. The Stratigraphy, Structure, Tectonics (SST) course at James Madison University incorporates a capstone project that traverses the Mid Atlantic region of the Appalachian Orogen and includes several all-day field trips. In the Fall 2020 semester, the SST field trips transitioned to a virtual format, due to restrictions from the COVID pandemic. The virtual field trip projects were developed in web-based Google Earth, along with other supplemental PowerPoint and PDF files. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the virtual field experiences in comparison with traditional on-location field trips, an online survey was sent to SST students that took the course virtually in Fall 2020 and to students that took the course in-person in previous years. Instructors and students alike recognized that some aspects of on-location field learning were not possible or effective with virtual field experiences. However, students recognized the value of virtual field experiences for reviewing and revisiting outcrops, as well as noting the improved access to virtual outcrops for students with disabilities, and the generally more inclusive experience of virtual field trips. Students highlighted the potential benefits for hybrid field experiences that incorporate both on-location outcrop investigations and virtual field trips, which is the preferred model for SST field experiences in Fall 2021 and into the future.

中文翻译：

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中大西洋阿巴拉契亚造山带横贯：虚拟和现场基于现场的顶点体验的比较

摘要。詹姆斯麦迪逊大学的地层学、结构、构造 (SST) 课程包含一个顶点项目，该项目穿越阿巴拉契亚造山带的大西洋中部地区，并包括几次全天实地考察。在 2020 年秋季学期，由于 COVID 大流行的限制，SST 实地考察转换为虚拟形式。虚拟实地考察项目是在基于网络的 Google 地球以及其他补充 PowerPoint 和 PDF 文件中开发的。为了评估虚拟实地体验与传统实地实地考察相比的有效性，我们向 2020 年秋季虚拟参加该课程的 SST 学生和前几年亲自参加该课程的学生发送了一份在线调查. 教师和学生都认识到，现场学习的某些方面在虚拟现场体验中是不可能或无效的。然而，学生们认识到虚拟实地体验对于审查和重访露头的价值，并注意到残疾学生获得虚拟露头的机会有所改善，以及虚拟实地考察的总体体验更具包容性。学生们强调了混合实地体验的潜在好处，其中结合了现场露头调查和虚拟实地考察，这是 2021 年秋季和未来 SST 实地体验的首选模式。并注意到残疾学生获得虚拟露头的机会有所改善，以及虚拟实地考察通常更具包容性。学生们强调了混合实地体验的潜在好处，其中结合了现场露头调查和虚拟实地考察，这是 2021 年秋季和未来 SST 实地体验的首选模式。并注意到残疾学生获得虚拟露头的机会有所改善，以及虚拟实地考察通常更具包容性。学生们强调了混合实地体验的潜在好处，其中结合了现场露头调查和虚拟实地考察，这是 2021 年秋季和未来 SST 实地体验的首选模式。