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Highlights of Using GIS in Highlights of Using GIS in TeachingTeaching

T.R. KidderT.R. KidderJohn BricoutJohn Bricout

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GIS HighlightsGIS Highlights

DisclaimerDisclaimerWhat is GIS?What is GIS?Teaching GIS in a goTeaching GIS in a go--go learning go learning environment: the social work experienceenvironment: the social work experienceGIS Resources at Washington UniversityGIS Resources at Washington UniversityReflections/DiscussionReflections/Discussion

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What is GIS?What is GIS?

Estimated that 70Estimated that 70--80 percent of all data 80 percent of all data have a spatial componenthave a spatial componentGeographic Information SystemsGeographic Information Systems

Geospatial Information ScienceGeospatial Information ScienceA A tooltool to link representations of space to to link representations of space to datadataA A methodmethod of inquiry utilizing spatial dataof inquiry utilizing spatial dataA A techniquetechnique for presenting spatial for presenting spatial informationinformation

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What is GIS?What is GIS?

““Analyses that combine relational Analyses that combine relational databases with spatial interpretation and databases with spatial interpretation and outputs often in form of maps. A more outputs often in form of maps. A more elaborate definition is that of computer elaborate definition is that of computer programs for capturing, storing, checking, programs for capturing, storing, checking, integrating, analyzing and displaying data integrating, analyzing and displaying data that are spatially referenced” that are spatially referenced”

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What is GIS?What is GIS?

GIS technology ranges from simple to GIS technology ranges from simple to complexcomplex

A paper AtlasA paper AtlasMapquestMapquestGoogle EarthGoogle EarthArcGISArcGIS

GIS can be tailored to suite needs of GIS can be tailored to suite needs of teaching, research, and presentationteaching, research, and presentation

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What is GIS?What is GIS?The Database View:The Database View: A A GIS is a unique kind of GIS is a unique kind of database of the worlddatabase of the world——a a geographic database geographic database ((geogeo--databasedatabase). It is an ). It is an "Information System for "Information System for Geography." Geography." Fundamentally, a GIS is Fundamentally, a GIS is based on a structured based on a structured database that describes database that describes the world in geographic the world in geographic terms. terms.

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What is GIS?What is GIS?The Map View:The Map View: A GIS A GIS is a set of intelligent is a set of intelligent maps and other views maps and other views that show features and that show features and feature relationships on feature relationships on the earth's surface. the earth's surface. Maps of the underlying Maps of the underlying geographic information geographic information can be constructed and can be constructed and used as "windows into used as "windows into the database" to the database" to support queries, support queries, analysis, and editing of analysis, and editing of the information. the information.

http://www.esri.com/news/pressroom/graphics/katrina/flooding0831estimate_lg.jpg

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What is GIS?What is GIS?The Model View:The Model View: A A GIS is a set of GIS is a set of information information transformation tools transformation tools that derive new that derive new geographic datasets geographic datasets from existing datasets. from existing datasets. These These geogeo--processingprocessing functions functions take information from take information from existing datasets, existing datasets, apply analytic apply analytic functions, and write functions, and write results into new results into new derived datasets. derived datasets.

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What is GIS?What is GIS?

http://http://nationalatlas.gov/dynamic/dyn_zm.htmlnationalatlas.gov/dynamic/dyn_zm.html##

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Chaco Canyon, NM

http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showthreaded.php/Cat/0/Number/129659/page/

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Teaching GIS in a goTeaching GIS in a go--go go learning environment: the learning environment: the

social work experiencesocial work experience

A GIS Curriculum ApplicationA GIS Curriculum Application

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Adoption in Social Work EducationAdoption in Social Work Education

Ph.D. Program (no current, plans for Ph.D. Program (no current, plans for modeling course)modeling course)MSW Program MSW Program

Research Methods Research Methods –– introduction (initial tests)introduction (initial tests)SW Practice: Organization & Community) SW Practice: Organization & Community) --application application (module design) (module design) Community Development Community Development -- advanced advanced application (initial tests) application (initial tests)

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Learning Environment Learning Environment CharacteristicsCharacteristics

Professional practiceProfessional practiceFieldField--classroom integrationclassroom integrationSocial work student’s style contextSocial work student’s style context--dependent (dependent (CartneyCartney, 2000), 2000)

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Learner CharacteristicsLearner Characteristics

International, diverse (sociopolitical)International, diverse (sociopolitical)Low geek Low geek –– high go high go Honey & Honey & MumfordMumford (1986) Learning Styles (1986) Learning Styles (Questionnaire) ((Questionnaire) (CartneyCartney, 2000), 2000)

ActivistsActivists (hands(hands--on, hereon, here--andand--now)now)PragmatistsPragmatists (practical problem(practical problem--solving, action)solving, action)ReflectorsReflectors (cautious adoption through observation)(cautious adoption through observation)Theorists (integrate observations, logical coherence)Theorists (integrate observations, logical coherence)

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Initial TestsInitial Tests

Spring 05 Two sections (2:6)Spring 05 Two sections (2:6)Conceptual tool approachConceptual tool approach

Read three articles Read three articles –– applied researchapplied researchBrief slide show (Intro to Brief slide show (Intro to ArcViewArcView –– 6 slides)6 slides)

Analytical tool approach Analytical tool approach No readingsNo readingsExpert lecture and extensive slide presentation (31 Expert lecture and extensive slide presentation (31 slides) with key concepts, key elements, practical slides) with key concepts, key elements, practical application (STL homeless, N=400, personal application (STL homeless, N=400, personal information and service use history), links to GIS information and service use history), links to GIS WUSTL WUSTL

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Initial TestsInitial Tests

Conceptual Test FeedbackConceptual Test FeedbackToo abstract Too abstract Insufficient realInsufficient real--life relevance/anchorslife relevance/anchorsNot actionable learning for assignmentNot actionable learning for assignment

Analytical Test FeedbackAnalytical Test FeedbackActionable learningActionable learningVariability in assignment integration/uptake Variability in assignment integration/uptake depending upon designated group member depending upon designated group member aptitude and interestaptitude and interest

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Summer SchoolSummer School

Summer introductory course (oneSummer introductory course (one--day) day) mapping your community (mapping your community (ArcGISArcGIS))

Layers, Layers, basemapsbasemaps, shape files, stacked , shape files, stacked data, mapping: good and baddata, mapping: good and bad

Sides: artistic and technicalSides: artistic and technical

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Summer SchoolSummer School

Striking similarity to SPSS training a kind Striking similarity to SPSS training a kind of underlying structureof underlying structure

Blues music: 12Blues music: 12--bar structure, syncopated bar structure, syncopated 4/4 rhythm4/4 rhythm

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A Sphere in FlatlandA Sphere in Flatland

“…“…I can see from my position in Space the I can see from my position in Space the inside of all things that you considered inside of all things that you considered closed. For example, I see in yonder closed. For example, I see in yonder cupboard near which you are standing, cupboard near which you are standing, several of what you call are boxes (but like several of what you call are boxes (but like everything else in Flatland, they have no everything else in Flatland, they have no tops or bottoms) full of money…” (tops or bottoms) full of money…” (FlatlandFlatland, , Section 16, E.A. Abbot, 1884)Section 16, E.A. Abbot, 1884)

2020

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Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

‘‘Naming’ and Meaning More Salient:Naming’ and Meaning More Salient:What map colors mean is not strictly aesthetic What map colors mean is not strictly aesthetic or technical (i.e., ‘Red’ or ‘Blue’ States)or technical (i.e., ‘Red’ or ‘Blue’ States)Interpretation of data are not strictly objective Interpretation of data are not strictly objective (i.e., ‘blighted land’ for Eminent Domain) nor (i.e., ‘blighted land’ for Eminent Domain) nor strictly subjective (i.e., the boundaries of strictly subjective (i.e., the boundaries of Parkview Neighborhood)Parkview Neighborhood)

World of GIS is nonWorld of GIS is non--Linear and LumpyLinear and Lumpy

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Lessons LearnedLessons LearnedShift from linear thinking about reporting data to Shift from linear thinking about reporting data to nonnon--linear perspective on problem topologylinear perspective on problem topologyBalance technical/procedural knowledge with Balance technical/procedural knowledge with grounded knowledge of phenomenongrounded knowledge of phenomenonDeDe--emphasize importance of the internal logic of emphasize importance of the internal logic of the software applications the software applications Begin with a good appreciation for the question Begin with a good appreciation for the question and the rationale for approach and the rationale for approach Make appropriate investments in GIS design, Make appropriate investments in GIS design, training, course design and instructor knowledgetraining, course design and instructor knowledge

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Lessons AppliedLessons Applied

Distribute GIS training over three class sessionsDistribute GIS training over three class sessionsSession one Session one

GIS Day (ESRI) video (~30 minutes)GIS Day (ESRI) video (~30 minutes)Discussion of applied articles (30 minutes)Discussion of applied articles (30 minutes)

Session two Session two Introduction to GIS: SWIntroduction to GIS: SW--relevant GIS applications, GIS relevant GIS applications, GIS Capabilities, Methodological considerations, Concrete Capabilities, Methodological considerations, Concrete example (45 minutes) example (45 minutes)

Session threeSession threeRealReal--time application of GIS to problemtime application of GIS to problem--framing and framing and analysis. Identification of WUSTL & ESRI resources (45 analysis. Identification of WUSTL & ESRI resources (45 minutes)minutes)

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Lessons Applied Lessons Applied

GIS trainer/consultant designs module for GIS trainer/consultant designs module for crosscross--section application (one common section application (one common module for all 8 sections)module for all 8 sections)GIS trainer/trainers for all 8 sectionsGIS trainer/trainers for all 8 sectionsBasic training for all instructorsBasic training for all instructors

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GIS Resources at Washington GIS Resources at Washington UniversityUniversity

http://gis.wustl.edu/http://gis.wustl.edu/EPScEPSc Library (Library (EPScEPSc room room 301; 935301; 935--5406)5406)Social Sciences Social Sciences ComputingComputingWU GIS Coordinator WU GIS Coordinator (coming soon!)(coming soon!)ESRI Virtual Campus ESRI Virtual Campus (http://(http://campus.esri.comcampus.esri.com/)/)ESRI Library ESRI Library (http://(http://campus.esri.comcampus.esri.com/ca/campus/library/)mpus/library/)

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Reflections/Discussion Reflections/Discussion Doing it badly is the worst thing that you can doDoing it badly is the worst thing that you can do

Negative consequences of makeNegative consequences of make--work mapping to work mapping to both creativity and critical thinkingboth creativity and critical thinkingButtonButton--frenzied brain freeze (BFBF Syndrome) frenzied brain freeze (BFBF Syndrome)

Lead with good, wellLead with good, well--framed questionsframed questionsGIS is a tool for the imagination GIS is a tool for the imagination –– makes makes possible new connections, not just about getting possible new connections, not just about getting answersanswersGIS is a growing initiativeGIS is a growing initiative–– interdisciplinary interdisciplinary student and faculty interest will generate novel student and faculty interest will generate novel crosscross--cutting applicationscutting applications