Tips and Tricks for Using GIS in the Classroom Teaching with New Geoscience Tools Visualizations, Models, and Online Data Feb 10-12, 2008 University of Massachusetts, Amherst Presented by: Michelle Kinzel Campus GIS TA, M.S. Candidate, Oregon State University

WHAT IS GIS? Geographic Information System: A computer system capable of storing, accessing and displaying data describing places on the earth’s surface. Geographic Information Science: A discipline that incorporates cartography, remote sensing and geographic information science.

WHAT CAN GIS DO? GIS can capture, store, update, manipulate, analyze, and display all forms of georeferenced data. Information can include geographic, social, political, environmental or demographic data, all displayed on a map.

Geographic Inquiry

ADVANTAGES OF GIS GIS maps.... are interactive allow for exploration and inquiry allow you to choose features of interest for display GIS provides a way to view the world in ways pertinent to a specific industry or topic.

ADVANTAGES OF GIS GIS engages and exercises multiple capacities and intelligences A. Critical thinking (ability to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate) B. Logical-mathematical intelligence 1. Numeracy 2. Technological capacity C. Linguistic intelligence 1. Literacy 2. Graphicacy D. Spatial intelligence 1. Map literacy E. Interpersonal intelligence 1. Communication

GIS SORTS AND STORES INFORMATION IN DATA LAYERS

Images -Satellite Images -Aerial Photos Types of Data Vector Data -points, lines, & polygons -eg. Cities, Roads, States Raster Data -“grid data” ; continuously sampled cells of data -eg. Bathymetry, Elevation, Sea Surface Temperature

Why use GIS? GIS is about finding patterns. Integrate data from a variety of sources. Answer questions of location: Where? Why? How? Solve problems. See patterns and trends not obvious in spreadsheet.

GIS TRACKS OUR WEATHER...

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS SEISMIC ACTIVITY INDEX GIS CAN FORCAST GEOLOGICAL TRENDS...

GIS CAN MAP WILDLIFE POPULATIONS.....

GIS CAN TRACK TIDAL CHANGES ALONG A COASTLINE

GIS CAN TAKE YOU AROUND YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD AROUND YOUR CITY

Around your world ! Image courtesy of the National Air and Space Museum

Spatial Literacy Spatial Thinkers 3-D Visualizations: Architecture, Medicine, Physics, Sciences Spatial Literacy Concept of Space Tools of representation Process of reasoning

Using GIS to Study Your World Remote tool: study the world quickly and from afar Creates a “virtual world” inside your computer by integrating geographic data (where things are found) with its informational data (what is present). Data and maps can be updated instantaneously by the user

Learning to Think Spatially: GIS as a Support System in the K- 12 Curriculum Committee on Geography, National Resource Council

GIS in Education students can understand spatial patterns, linkages, trends and processes on a local, regional or global scale. Possible to visually represent complex spatiotemporal relationships with GIS Taps into technological proficiency Engages digital learners It’s fun and exciting!

GIS in Education List of Classroom Ideas Planning school bus routes based on student residences Studying water consumption patterns in arid areas Designing noise abatement buffer zones around an airport Mapping current sewer service areas and projected need Profiling present bank customers by branch office Identifying telephone market territories across the country Researching changing wildlife habitat in a national park Modeling hurricane evacuation scenarios in a coastal city Laying out neighborhood newspaper delivery routes Analyzing patterns of toxic wastes in area soils Documenting archaeological sites and findings Viewing global vegetation cover from satellite images

Software Options ESRI Products AEJEE – Arc Explorer Java Edition for Education Free Downloadable Lessons ArcGIS Desktop 9.2 ArcGIS Online

ESRI GIS Education Community Portal

Other Options

Acknowledgements Thank you to Oregon State University, Department of Geosciences, On the Cutting Edge National Science Foundation

I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world. ~Albert Einstein Image courtesy of the National Air and Space Museum DISCUSSION