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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!