Using Information Technology to Transform the Way We Learn GeographyGIS

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Using Information Technology to Transform the Way
We Learn Geography/GIS

• Ming-Hsiang Tsou
• mtsou_at_mail.sdsu.edu
• Department of Geography
• San Diego State University

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Recommendations 4 Work with industry and
academia to develop technical standards for
extendable component-based technologies and
infrastructures that can widely used in online
education and training.
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GEO 296 Geographic Information Sciences and
Spatial Reasoning

• Dr. Richard Wright -- Geographic Information
  Systems
• Dr. Doug Stow -- Remote Sensing
• Dr. Stuart Aitken Urban modeling
• Dr. Serge Rey -- Geographic Analysis
• Dr. Ming-Hsiang Tsou -- Cartographic
  Visualization
• Web-based Computer Lab Exercises

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Why Web-based Computer Lab Exercises?

• GEO296 ? GE courses (GEO104 or 105)
• Number of Students (25 ? 100/200)
• Current GIS lab capacity is limited
• 25 Seats (SAL lab)
• 20 Seats (CEASAR Lab)
• Software cost is expensive
• ArcGIS 8,000 per seat x 100 ?
• ERDAS Imagine 5,000 per seat. X 100 ?
• Specialized GIS labs hardware/managements.
• TA requirements (100 students ? 4 fulltime TAs)

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Implementation Strategy

• GIS labs for advanced GIS/Carto/RS/Spatial
  Statistics courses (GEO381/GEO384/GEO484/GEO488/GE
  O584/GEO588/GEO683/GEO684/GEO596)
• Web-based GIS exercises
• Low level intro-course (GEO 296/GEO 104)
• Other geography courses
• Distance learning

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Course Web Site http//map.sdsu.edu/gis
(Software FrontPage 2000)
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Component-based Technologies for Online GIS
Education

• Component-based Technologies Java
  applets/servlets, Microsoft ActiveX controls/ASP,
  CORBA, Microsoft .NET frameworks.
• Internet Map Server (IMS) ESRI ArcIMS/AutoDesk
  MapGuide
• image services (raster-based)
• feature services (vector-based)
• Modularized, Reusable, Multimedia, Interoperable
  cross platform

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Internet Map Server

• Supported by Geography Department.
• http//map.sdsu.edu

Client (Web browser) Java applets
Internet Map Server ArcIMS
Web Server map.sdsu.edu
Internet
Client (Web browser) IMS Viewer
Client (Web browser)
Regional Database (GIS)
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Cartographic Exercises(Example Lab-1 Map
Projections)
http//map.sdsu.edu/gis/lab/lab-1.htm
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GIS Exercises(Example Lab-5 GIS functions)
http//map.sdsu.edu/gis/lab/lab-5.htm
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Remote Sensing Exercises(Example Lab-11 Change
Detection)
http//map.sdsu.edu/gis/lab/lab-11.htm
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The Next Step

• Adopting Sociology Workbench (developed by Ed
  Center) with spatial statistics lab exercises.
• Create other modules for geographic research
  (hydrology, climatology, urban / Transportations,
  etc.)
• Analyze the outcome of web-based exercises and
  web transaction logs analysis.

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Discussion

• There is a huge gap between the potential of
  using information technologies and the
  accomplishments. (PITAC report, p.5)
• Reduce costs
• Modification.
• Evaluation.

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Acknowledgement

• Department of Geography (chair Dr. Edward
  Aguado) --- Internet Map Servers Web Servers
• Dean Paul Strand --- FDP grant
• Dr. Kris Stewart and Jeff Sale -- EdCenter
• Faculty Fellows