5.Case Study + Preparing for presentation(authoritative websites: database)

We can learn the damage of earthquake by searching database.

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqarchives/

Reason for recommendation:

By its powerful database which provides and applies relevant earthquake information and knowledge, viewers can have more ideas about earthquake by easy searching of information. Its large amount of data also allows viewers to experience more during real case study.

Others:
http://www.csi.ac.cn/publish/main/813/2/index.html
http://www.hko.gov.hk/gts/equake/neqpress_e.htm
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/today/
http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/nndc/struts/form?t=101650&s=1&d=1
http://www.ga.gov.au/earthquakes/searchQuake.do

Information Literacy guidance:

These are informative websites government website, they provide reliable geographic earthquake data all over the world.

Viewers can select the information of earthquake base on its location, date, magnitude, destructive, etc first. Then summarize the information of earthquake.

Learning tools:

Real case study is set to students. Four students will form a group. They are requested to focus on one or a couple of the earthquakes happened in the past, summarize its geographic and historic information, explain the cause, characteristics and effects. The main part of the project, however, is on students' critical thinking and analysis of the case.



Students must first study the case and then come up with an issue that they want to examine. They should then gather information and look for data from the Internet for analysis. In the end, they should make suggestions on how to work on potential problems (including damage and casualties) caused by earthquake.




Students may refer to the following critical thinking model for reference:
http://www.criticalthinking.org/ctmodel/logic-model1.htm

Case study guidelines:

 

1.Examine and describe the case (the factual component of the research project) Give a detailed description of the case you have selected, including the time, location and damage caused. Some possible questions to answer: Why did the earthquake occur?  Which plates collided with each other?  How severe was the damage?

2.Identify the key issues or problem in case study with supporting documents and statistics (the analysis of information)  Some possible questions to answer: What are so significant about this earthquake? What are the statistics associated with this case that prove your observation correct?

3. Analyze the data with critical thinking. Some possible questions to answer: Was anyone to be blamed for the damage and casualties? Did the case suggest any loopholes in the measures in preparation of earthquakes?

4. Conclude your analysis by reviewing your findings and emphasize on significance of different study. Some possible questions to answer: What  should we learn from the case? What measures should the government of the country adopt in order to minimise damage caused by future earthquakes?

5.References and Appendix.    It is important that you acknowledge the source. of information. Make sure you quote the sources properly. You may make use of the following website: http://citationmachine.net/index2.php

Tips: Always read a case study several times. At first, you should read just for the basic details. On each subsequent reading, look for details about a specific topic; highlight phrases and sections relating to the topic and take notes.