COMPUTER AIDED LEARNING IN GEOENGINEERING EDUCATION: CURRENT RESOURCES AND FUTURE TRENDS Mark B. Jaksa 1 , Patrick R. James 2 , Leslie R. Davison 3 and David G. Toll 4 ABSTRACT As time proceeds the use of computer aided learning (CAL) in undergraduate courses is becoming a more widespread and accepted form of teaching. This paper presents the CAL resources currently available in geotechnical engineering and engineering and environmental geology and is an extension and update of Toll (1999). In addition, the authors attempt to predict where CAL is heading in the future. COMPUTER AIDED LEARNING Computer aided learning (CAL) offers many advantages over traditional forms of learning. These include: (1) the ability to run simulations of laboratory experiments and design scenarios that allow the student to see the effect on some behaviour by modifying various parameter(s); (2) the material can be delivered in an exciting and challenging manner; (3) students are able to learn at their own pace, rather than fitting into a schedule set by the course timetable; (4) student progress and areas of difficulty can be automatically monitored; (5) scarce teacher, technician and equipment resources can be diverted to other areas, e.g. research. Whilst CAL has a number of benefits it also suffers from a number of limitations. These include: (1) students do not handle soil or rock nor operate test apparatus, hence, they cannot learn from these important experiences; (2) students may not appreciate experimental errors nor the time needed to carry out some geotechnical tests; (3) if the CAL resources are poorly designed, the student may be more concerned with navigating or ‘playing’ the software than with learning; (4) hardware limitations may cause the software to crash or the web-navigator to be unbearably slow, hence, detracting from the learning experience. As a consequence, CAL should not be seen as a panacea but as another tool in the teacher’s armoury of techniques and delivery modes. This paper presents a list and brief description of the various CAL resources currently available in geoengineering. To date, these resources include stand-alone PC-based programs, multimedia CD-ROMs and web-based simulations and courseware. These resources are divided into those relating to geotechnical engineering and those concerned with engineering and environmental geology. Where available, web URLs, email addresses and references to relevant papers are given. An excellent internet site, which lists an extensive source of links to geotechnical engineering software, is provided by the Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Software Directory (www.ggsd.com) which also provides a list of educational links. CAL RESOURCES CURRENTLY AVAILABLE IN GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING Bolton Institute CAL Courseware Type: Web-based courseware URL: www.technology.bolton.ac.uk/civils/mscenvgeo This web-based courseware is designed to support the MSc program in Environmental Technology at the Bolton Institute, UK. Existing materials relate to contaminated land and address: history and political initiatives; soil assessment; water assessment and reclamation, including innovative treatment methods. Materials on ground investigation are under development. (At the time of writing the paper, the URL was inaccessible). 1 Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Adelaide, S.A., 5005, Australia 2 Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Adelaide, S.A., 5005, Australia 3 Faculty of the Built Environment, University of West England, Bristol, UK 4 School of Civil & Structural Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore