Unit 2: Assessing Web-based Geographic Information Systems
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Guiding Questions
Where do we find and access Web-based GIS?
What are open-source and commercial Web-based GIS applications?
How does a Web-based GIS work?
Introduction
Web-based GIS has become a robust tool for the everyday visualization and analysis of geospatial data. In this second unit, participants will explore a selection of open-source and commercial GIS resources to become familiar with different applications. Then, participants will access ArcGIS Online (AGO), one of the most popular commercial Web-based GIS platforms, investigate teaching-related resources, and complete an introductory Web-GIS lesson. Finally, participants will continue to work on their course projects by preparing an outline for their learning activity plan. *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: Identify open-source and commercial GIS applications online; Identify how Web-based GIS can be utilized in different learning contexts; Access the ArcGIS Online program; Complete a Web-based mapping lesson, and Create a Learning Activity plan outline.
Lesson 1: Exploring GIS Online
In this lesson, participants will explore a set of Web-based GIS resources and discuss how these resources may be integrated into different learning contexts. Web-based GIS can be broadly classified as either open-source or commercial; this website describes the difference between the two types: 10 Differences between Commercial and Open-source GIS. After reviewing the online resources, participants are tasked with discussing what they have learned in Activity #3.
Activity 1: Open-source GIS. Open Educational Resources (OERs) are “teaching, learning, and research resources that reside in the public domain or have been released under a license that permits their free use, reuse, modification, and sharing with others” (US Department of Education, 2020). Participants can find links to general OER resources by accessing the General OER Repositories link (see References and Resources). Participants are then invited to explore OER Web-based GIS resources by accessing the wiki page linked here: OER GIS Resources.
Activity 2: Commercial GIS. The GIS field remains dominated by commercial GIS platforms and applications. ESRI (Environmental Systems Research Institute) is a leader in commercial GIS products, though they are not the only vendor. Participants should review the commercial GIS resources listed on the wiki page linked here: Commercial GIS Resources.
Activity 3: Discussion. How can GIS be utilized in different learning contexts? Once participants have reviewed the OER and commercial GIS resources, they are tasked with posting a discussion in which they respond to the prompts provided under Unit 2, Lesson #1 on the Course Google Docs page.
Lesson 2: Accessing ArcGIS Online
In this lesson, participants will access ArcGIS Online (AGO) and related learning materials by signing up for two free accounts: a public ESRI account and a Student AGO account. Once these accounts are created, participants will then complete an introductory training lesson (Activity #2) to become familiar with the AGO platform. Assessment for this lesson is based on successful account creation and completion of the training lesson (a certificate will be awarded), as well as the completion of the Unit Quiz (see Assessment).
Activity 1: Account creation. First, participants should review the following introductory video for ArcGIS Online: Introduction to ArcGIS Online. Next, participants should follow this link to successfully sign up for the two free accounts needed to access ESRI content and the AGO platform: Account Creation Page.
Activity 2: Complete the AGO training lesson. Participants should login and complete the following lesson: Get Started with ArcGIS Online. For assessment, participants are asked to post a copy of their completed lesson certificate to the Course Google Doc.
- If participants would like to explore the AGO content available to secondary students, they should review the 'Get to Know GIS (For Secondary Students{ Learning Path (see References and Resources).
Lesson 3: Course Project Activity Plan
In this lesson, participants are tasked with drawing on the information they learned about GeoInquiries in Unit 1: Lesson #3 to review specific lesson activities which utilize GIS and create an outline for their Learning Activity plan.
Activity 1: Lesson review. Participants should access the GeoInquiries Activity Collection and select two examples which reflect a topic/subject they teach or are interested in teaching. Then, participants should follow these steps to review each lesson: 1) Download a GeoInquiry to review; 2) Practice the activity by yourself; 3) Display the map on your white board; 4) Consider if you prefer to use student worksheets, and 5) Self-reflect on what to change and what worked.
Activity 2: Plan outline. After reviewing your selected GeoInquiry activities, participants are to develop an outline for their course project: a plan for an original or adapted GIS-based learning activity using the GeoInquiry lessons as a model. Please review the required information for your outline on the Course Google Doc before posting under Unit 2: Lesson #3 - Activity 2 for feedback.
Assessment
In this unit, participants will be assessed based on the following:
Lesson #1: Activity 3 - Discussion: How can GIS be utilized in different learning contexts? Submitted via the Course Google Doc.
Lesson #2: 'Get to Know ArcGIS' course completion certificate (posted to the Course Google Doc) and the Unit #2 Quiz.
Lesson #3: Activity 2 - Project Plan outline submitted to the Course Google Doc for feedback.
References and Resources
EARSC. March 20, 2017. 10 Differences Between Commercial And Open Source GIS Software [blogpost]. Accessed at: https://monde-geospatial.com/10-differences-between-commercial-and-open-source-gis-software/
ESRI Academy. (2021). Get to Know GIS (For Secondary Students)] Learning Plan. Accessed at: https://www.esri.com/training/catalog/57abbee605caa479762cdf93/get-to-know-gis-(for-secondary-students)/
Open Oregon. (2015). OER Basics [video]. Accessed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O1RftQowCs.
Next Steps
Follow this link to: Unit 3
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