Unit 1: Web-based Geographic Information Systems
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Guiding Questions
What is a Geographic Information System (GIS)?
What is Web-based GIS?
How can Web-based GIS be utilized in learning activities?
Introduction
In this unit, participants will learn some basics about GIS and how they can be utilized in learning. Geographic Information Systems are grounded in the field of geography; geography is the study of the earth and all of its features, as well as how these features are distributed and interconnected. Geography is unique in its approach to studying phenomena because of the spatial perspective: a focus on the patterns of where and how things occur in the human and natural worlds in different places over time. A GIS can analyze geospatial data, which combines location information (e.g. latitude and longitude coordinates), attribute information (characteristics of an object, event, or phenomena), and temporal information (the time/life span at which the location and attributes exist) (Stock and Guesgen, 2016). With the advent of the Internet and expansion of Web-based applications, GIS has taken new forms where non-expert users can quickly learn and adapt programs from anywhere in the world. Increased accessibility and ease of use have attracted educators from around the globe to Web-based GIS. *Note: Participants will need a Google Account to access some course materials and forms.
Objectives
At the conclusion of this unit, participants will be able to: Define Geographic Information Systems (GIS); Identify the Components of a GIS; Apply Spatial Thinking principles; Identify questions GIS can help answer, and Access ESRIs' GeoInquiries Lesson platform.
Lesson 1: Pre-Survey and Mental Mapping Activity
In this lesson, participants will participate in a Pre-survey to assess their prior knowledge and use of GIS. Then, participants will engage in a Mental Mapping activity to familiarize themselves with basic geographic concepts.
Activity 1: Pre-survey. To begin our exploration of geography and GIS, participants are asked to complete the following Course Pre-survey; responses will be used to assess prior knowledge of geographic concepts and GIS utilization.
Activity 2: Mental map. Participants are tasked with completing this Mental Mapping activity; these internal maps are based on an individual’s experiences and perceptions, guiding how we navigate our world. Participants will be assessed based on the completion of the mental mapping activity (not its form or content) and on their activity reflection.
Lesson 2: Defining Geographic Information Systems
In this lesson, participants will learn about Geographic Information Systems, Web-based versions, as well as how they function and are applied to different contexts. Learning will be facilitated by two activities and assessed by a Unit Quiz (see Assessment). Participants should review all content presented and take notes as they move through the material.
Activity 1: Please view this short introductory video What is GIS?, and then read Spatial Thinking and GIS. In this article, participants will learn about the role of spatial thinking in geographic inquiry and GIS. Next, participants should review this website 5 Types of Questions GIS Can Answer to help contextualize GIS's applicability to learning. As participants view and read, they should take down notes on the basic elements and functions of a GIS and think about how they may already use spatial thinking in their everyday life or instructional practice.
Activity 2: Participants will learn more about the components, functionality, and application of GIS in this activity. Please review the following lectures and take notes; there will be questions from this content on the Unit Quiz.
Mini-Lecture (1) - Introduction to Geographic Systems (PDF version: File:Mini-Lecture 1 Intro to GIS.pdf)
Mini-Lecture (2) - Spatial Thinking and GIS (PDF version: File:Mini-Lecture 2 Intro to Spatial Thinking and GIS.pdf)
Mini-Lecture (3) - Modeling and Mapping Data (PDF version: File:Mini-Lecture 3 Modeling Data.pdf)
- Participants can view examples of the different types of GIS maps in the ESRI Map Book (see References and Resources).
Lesson 3: Introduction to the Course Project
In this lesson, participants will learn about the applicability of GIS in the secondary classroom via ESRI's 'GeoInquiries' program and think about how GIS could be utilized in their own instructional practice. GeoInquiries are short, standards-based inquiry activities for teaching map-based content found in commonly used textbooks (ESRI, 2020) and are the model for the course project Learning Activity plans.
Activity 1: Participants are to review the Getting to Know GeoInquiries: an intro to teaching with maps Story Map to become familiar with the platform. Then, participants are to discuss how they think GIS could be utilized in their instructional practice; consider the prompts provided on the Course Google Doc before posting their discussion post under Unit 1: Lesson #3.
Assessment
In this unit, participants will be assessed based on the following:
Lesson #1: Mental Mapping activity Reflection (posted to course Google Doc; comments and feedback via email);
Lesson #2: Lecture Content Quiz (please complete the quiz here: Unit #1 Quiz), and
Lesson #3: GIS applicability and GeoInquiries program Discussion (posted to course Google Doc; comments and feedback via email).
References and Resources
ESRI (2021). Map Book. Accessed at: https://www.esri.com/en-us/esri-map-book/map-book-gallery
- ESRI (2020). Getting to Know GeoInquiries; an intro to teaching with maps. Story Map accessed at: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/939b0102d1bb4af380edc6d9de2e5cc4
Simons, W. (2021). 5 Types of Questions GIS can Answer. Accessed at: https://spatiality.co.ke/5-types-of-questions-gis-can-answer/#:~:text=%205%20Types%20of%20Questions%20GIS%20can%20Answer,over%20time...%204%20What%20if%20%E2%80%A6%3F%20More
Sinton, D. S. (2015). Spatial Thinking and GIS. In TSTIP@ COSIT (pp. 29-35).
Stock, K., & Guesgen, H. (2016). Geospatial reasoning with open data. In Automating Open Source Intelligence (pp. 171-204). Syngress.
Next Steps
Follow this link to: Unit 2
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