Liz O’DeaDepartment of Geosciences

Integrating GIS and Community Mapping

into Secondary Science Education:

A Web GIS Approach

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

What is web GIS?Basic GIS functions with Internet technology

Accessible via the Web

Less complex interface

Easier to use as tool

Web GIS as potential solution

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

Manager

Web Server

ArcIMSConnectors

ApplicationServer

SpatialServer

ViewersClient 

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 Physical Geog. Layers

Roads Land Cover

Streams Land Use

DEMs (contours, aspect, slope)

Geology (surface, faults, earthquakes, slides)

Political Boundaries Wetlands

Watersheds Precipitation

PLSS Grid

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

Toolbar

Text Box Links

Layers/Legend

MapFrame

Page Overview

Mode Frame

OverviewMap

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

Thank You!Thank You!

http://www.geocities.com/gisliz2002