A VIRTUAL FIELD CLASS IN THE MOUNTAINS OF LOUSÃ, CENTRAL PORTUGAL

Field classes are important learning activities in secondary education Geology. However, these activities are difficult to prepare because of:
1) the costs involved in the activities;
2) the availability of interesting sites;
3) appropriate outcrops to visit; and
4) inappropriate weather.

Preparation of the teaching materials is not easy and sometimes teachers have neither the time nor the knowledge to carry out field classes. The objectives of this study were to construct a virtual field class in the Mountains of Lousã, Central Portugal and to assess the teaching materials. The materials are drawn up for three units of the field class: before, during and after the field class.

The methodology was:
1) to define the objectives of the field class;
2) to study the geology of the area;
3) to do field work to observe, interpret and make pictures and films;
4) to make the teaching materials including presentations, a field book, posters and resources with revision questions.

The materials were created by using web2.0 tools, distributed by e-mail and assessed by 9 teachers. All the participants agreed with the structure of the virtual class and with the teaching materials. They also agreed to use this plan and these materials in their classes.