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Integrating GIS and Community Mapping into Secondary Science Education: A Web GIS Approach Liz O’Dea Department of Geosciences Introduction GIS: program combining mapping, data, and analysis tools GIS and Secondary education Growing interest Slow growth in use Success limited (time, resources) Time wasted teaching technology Global data common, local data desired Less complex GIS options needed Web GIS as potential solution What is web GIS? Basic GIS functions with Internet technology Accessible via the Web Less complex interface Easier to use as tool Objectives Is web GIS a viable option for GIS in education? What are the benefits and limitations of web GIS use in education? What are some factors of success? The Tahoma Virtual Atlas Model online physical geographic community atlas Created for Tahoma School District’s secondary science classes Developed using Arc Internet Map Server Benefits of GIS in Education Provides new perspective Interactive nature increases learning Ideal for student-centered classrooms Problem solving and spatial reasoning skills Interdisciplinary = “real world” Complements science curriculum nicely Exposure to modern mapping methods Current Status 2% of high schools own a GIS Only half of those schools use it Why so low? Full GIS too technical for most teachers Time consuming: Learning Teaching (takes away from core curriculum) Lack of resources Training Adequate technology Money to support these Few curriculum resources Efforts to Increase Use Organizations Nonprofit, government, university Software ArcExplorer, ArcVoyager Trainings Web GIS Recent technology Static maps vs. functionality Local GIS programs and data not required Used by GIS novices and experts Can be tailored to meet needs Arc Internet Map Server (ArcIMS) Advanced web GIS Product of ESRI Simplified ArcView Basic GIS functions Single interface Uses ArcView Shapefiles Viewers Client Server Web Server ArcIMS Connectors Manager Application Server Spatial Server The Tahoma Virtual Atlas Tahoma School District, Washington Online physical geographic community atlas Secondary integrated science curriculum Tool that compliments field trips Planning Initial design: Physical geographic theme • Integrated: geology, hydrology, climate, vegetation Pierce and King Counties • Field trip locations Goals: Provide teachers access to local data Tool to build upon Data Base Data Layers Roads Streams DEMs (contours, aspect, slope) Political Boundaries Watersheds PLSS Grid Physical Geog. Layers Land Cover Land Use Geology (surface, faults, earthquakes, slides) Wetlands Precipitation Data Compilation Internet download, CDs, tables Acquired from various sources County governments University of Washington Federal Government Agencies (BLM, USFS, USGS) Created (contours, slope, aspect, earthquakes) Data Processing Most time consuming Many formats, projections Final format: State Plane WA, North Zone Projection ArcView Shapefiles grids and images: GeoTIFF format Data challenges Scale issues Original scale: large = more detail Joining Layers Matching features Matching tables Differing scales Most added separately (too time consuming) ArcIMS Installation ArcIMS 3.1 Installed Dell Precision Workstation Windows 2000 Workstation Requires web server and Java components to be installed first Apache Web Server, Jakarta Tomcat • Secure and stable Long, painful process Site Creation ArcIMS Manager easy to use Authored Map Service: Designed Web Site: Site Customization Default site unattractive Manual edits to HTML and JavaScript files: Changed colors Added links to accessory pages created: • • • • Introductory page Help page Metadata page Disclaimer Page Overview Overview Map Layers/ Legend Toolbar Map Frame Mode Frame Text Box Links Implementation Introduced atlas to teachers brief training Sample lesson Survey Teacher using in class 3 days later! Migration from OSU to high school Train future site manager The Final Product Many functions: Choose layers to display Zoom/pan Identify, search, query features Measure, buffer features Print layout Metadata Uses of the atlas Enhance science lessons with local data Volcanic activity, earthquakes Watershed studies Mapping skills Local affects of global warming Investigate study sites Add new layers Develop temporal database (i.e., water quality) Data Observations Factors of consideration Scale Quality Metadata quality variable Area too large ArcIMS Observations Challenging to install IMS Manager and site sometimes quirky Slow site speed = frustrated students Customization challenging Need programming skills Maintenance may be too challenging for teachers Web GIS in Education Addresses time issues: Less training needed Focus on educational standards Addresses resource issues: Web browser only requirement Use from any computer Lead to increased GIS use in education Same data sets accessible with ArcView Community Mapping Local data more interesting Students relate better Local issues Global issues Incorporate hands-on learning Create new data in the field Web GIS makes access easier Connect students with community Conclusions Not answer for everyone As technology improves, feasibility will increase Success depends on teachers Conclusions (cont’d.) Easy to access and use Tool to enhance curriculum Use ArcView for more depth Atlas can be expanded Web GIS and fieldwork = unique opportunity Future Work Curricula development Follow-up study of use in classrooms Create new atlas pages, tailored to lessons Simpler web GIS = greater use http://www.geocities.com/gisliz2002 Thank You!