Last blog (!!!)- It was interesting to see the jigsaw in action last week. This activity could be useful in geology classes that require rock or mineral ID's. The 1st set of groups could spend time becoming experts on what characteristics best facilitate proper identification of a certain mineral or rock. Then the experts would share that knowledge with their 2nd group, while demonstrating what characteristics best lead to correct ID's (i.e., with the minerals/rock in hand while demonstrating their expertise). Such an activity would help students more quickly narrow down what qualities of each rock or mineral allow proper ID, building a skill set that can be daunting for students new to geology or mineralogy.
 
In other news, I am excited to be done with our lengthy tech talk today, and excited to be done with blogging! In future news, I am super excited to (hopefully) be done with my thesis by the end of the semester. Amidst the black hole of thesis writing, sometimes the light at the end of the tunnel seems small, but I think it's getting bigger (75 pages down with further areas to flesh out identified and a long "to-do" list of minor details). Big Spring Break plans? Addressing those weaknesses.