Nurturing the Engaged Student: Nurturing the Engaged Student: Lessons from the Use of Writing Lessons from the Use of Writing

TechniquesTechniques in Geospatial Science Class in Geospatial Science Class

  

bybyHenry BulleyHenry Bulley

Assistant Professor of GeographyAssistant Professor of Geography(Students: Stacy Tallberg & Kristina Schultz) (Students: Stacy Tallberg & Kristina Schultz)

Spring Semester Learning ColloquiumSpring Semester Learning ColloquiumWriting Strategies across the CurriculumWriting Strategies across the Curriculum

Central Connecticut State UniversityCentral Connecticut State UniversityThursday May 12, 2011Thursday May 12, 2011

GIS help us answer about:GIS help us answer about:► Location: Location: What is at a given location?What is at a given location?► Condition: Condition: Where are certain conditions satisfied?Where are certain conditions satisfied?► Trends: Trends: What has changed since ...?What has changed since ...?► Patterns: Patterns: What spatial patterns exist?What spatial patterns exist?► Modeling: Modeling: What if ...?What if ...?

Hence:Hence:

GIS is a powerful tool for representation and analysis ofGIS is a powerful tool for representation and analysis of

spatial information in the geosciences. spatial information in the geosciences.

What is a GIS?What is a GIS?► Geographic Information System (GIS) consist of the Geographic Information System (GIS) consist of the

hardware, software, and data to capture, manage, hardware, software, and data to capture, manage, analyze, and display spatially geographically referenced analyze, and display spatially geographically referenced informationinformation

www.gembc.ca

Major advantage of a GIS: It allows us to identify spatial relationships between thematic layers

Data Representation for GIS Analysis

User Beware User Beware !!!!

► So Maps and Statistics can lie?So Maps and Statistics can lie? Or is it that we lie using these information?Or is it that we lie using these information?

► My goal at CCSU is to help train the next My goal at CCSU is to help train the next generation of generation of scholar-practioners scholar-practioners who will be who will be come effective users of geospatial techniques, come effective users of geospatial techniques, tools and productstools and products

► Hence it is critical that students in my GIS Hence it is critical that students in my GIS classes appreciate the potential applications and classes appreciate the potential applications and implications of geospatial techniques, tools and implications of geospatial techniques, tools and products on policy and other real world products on policy and other real world derivativesderivatives

!! Welcome To The Geospatial !! Welcome To The Geospatial Revolution!!Revolution!!

OverviewOverview► In an effort to transform students from passive recipients on In an effort to transform students from passive recipients on

knowledge into active participants in an experiential learning knowledge into active participants in an experiential learning venture,venture,

► I use an approach that helps students apply the concepts and I use an approach that helps students apply the concepts and tools of GIS (Geographic Information System) to solve real world tools of GIS (Geographic Information System) to solve real world problems, as a final project.  problems, as a final project. 

► A key aspect of the final project requires students to complete a A key aspect of the final project requires students to complete a quality literature review and develop a project proposal, which quality literature review and develop a project proposal, which ultimately results in a poster presentation.  ultimately results in a poster presentation. 

► I will discuss how engaged students benefit from a series of I will discuss how engaged students benefit from a series of writing assignments, discussions, and academic poster writing assignments, discussions, and academic poster presentation of their final project.  presentation of their final project. 

► My belief is that an engaged student in an experiential learning My belief is that an engaged student in an experiential learning endeavor is an inspired student.   endeavor is an inspired student.  

My GIS Classes at CCSUMy GIS Classes at CCSU

► Introduction to GIScienceIntroduction to GIScience Introduction to statistical and Geographic foundations of GISIntroduction to statistical and Geographic foundations of GIS

► Introduction to GIS Introduction to GIS Introduction to principles and techniques in GIS analysisIntroduction to principles and techniques in GIS analysis Hands-on practical labs each weekHands-on practical labs each week

► GIS Applications in Urban and Regional Planning GIS Applications in Urban and Regional Planning

► GIS Applications in Public SafetyGIS Applications in Public Safety

►Form 5 groupsForm 5 groups►Go out in a different direction and observe:Go out in a different direction and observe:

a.a. Number of students with back packNumber of students with back pack► Asian, Hispanic, White, Black, OtherAsian, Hispanic, White, Black, Other

b.b. Number of students wearing jeansNumber of students wearing jeans► Female, male Female, male

c.c. Number of students talking on their cell Number of students talking on their cell phonephone

GIS 130 (Intro GIScience)GIS 130 (Intro GIScience)Group Activity:5-10 minsGroup Activity:5-10 mins

Data from Class ActivityData from Class Activity

Sample Data summary (Spring 2011)

Students with Backpacks Students wearing jeans

Students using Cell

phone

A H W B O F MGroup 1

4 3 33 6 0 34 18 9

Group 2

1 2 14 2 0 11 3 6

Group 3

1 1 18 3 0 27 22 13

Group 4

5 1 12 3 0 35 22 8

Group 5

2 6 23 2 0 14 13 5

This table was useful in explaining basic statistical concepts such as, Multivariate, Bivariate, and Univariate data to the students

► The criteria for overall course grade are as follows:The criteria for overall course grade are as follows: Reading assignmentsReading assignments10%10% Lab exercisesLab exercises 25%25% Mid-term examMid-term exam 30%30% Final project**Final project** 35%35%

► ** Final Project grade includes:** Final Project grade includes: Proposal Proposal - 5%- 5% Draft report Draft report - 5%- 5% Poster session Poster session - 15%- 15% Final report Final report - 10%- 10%

GIS 378 & 479 (GIS & GIS Applications)GIS 378 & 479 (GIS & GIS Applications)Final class project Final class project

Key Aspect of Proposals & Final Key Aspect of Proposals & Final reports reports

Guidelines for GIS Final Project ProposalGuidelines for GIS Final Project Proposal

Max. number of 3 pages required for the proposal Max. number of 3 pages required for the proposal Clear statement of the problem/research questionClear statement of the problem/research question Project Goal and ObjectivesProject Goal and Objectives Background/Significance of the Project - Background/Significance of the Project - Be Be

succinctsuccinct Project DesignProject Design Project timelineProject timeline Anticipated results/final Products and Anticipated results/final Products and

DisseminationDissemination Student's personal statementStudent's personal statement Project References – Project References – Maximum of 4 references!Maximum of 4 references!

Students are not alone!Students are not alone!

I provide opportunities and material to helpI provide opportunities and material to help

students accomplish their tasks. For Example:students accomplish their tasks. For Example:

► Tutorial on how to do library search Thanks to Reference Library Staff

► Some useful links on Effective ways to read scientific Some useful links on Effective ways to read scientific articles articles

http://www.lib.purdue.edu/phys/assets/SciPaperTutorial.swfhttp://www.lib.purdue.edu/phys/assets/SciPaperTutorial.swf ► Some useful links on Effective ways to Some useful links on Effective ways to Find, Read & Find, Read &

Cite articles Cite articles http://www.muhlenberg.edu/depts/psychology/FindReadCite.htmhttp://www.muhlenberg.edu/depts/psychology/FindReadCite.htm

► Tutorial on how to make an academic poster how to make an academic poster Thanks to Sherry Pesino, IDTRCThanks to Sherry Pesino, IDTRC

OutcomesOutcomes

Students develop strong critical thinking skills Students develop strong critical thinking skills and and

appreciate the use role GIS as an effective appreciate the use role GIS as an effective tool in tool in

solving real world problems via:solving real world problems via: Proposal developmentProposal development Data exploration & AnalysisData exploration & Analysis Academic PosterAcademic Poster Final project reportFinal project report

Students ObservationStudents Observation

To add to my comments from the other day, I do appreciate the To add to my comments from the other day, I do appreciate the approach taken in class regarding our work with GIS this approach taken in class regarding our work with GIS this semester. Although it's good to have some general lab semester. Although it's good to have some general lab exercises in class – and it would have been great to have the exercises in class – and it would have been great to have the FEMA application running sooner – a project that focuses on the FEMA application running sooner – a project that focuses on the use of real-world data and issues to me is the best approach. use of real-world data and issues to me is the best approach.

This gives us the benefit of showcasing an area of our own This gives us the benefit of showcasing an area of our own interest and it looks good on a resume to highlight our GIS interest and it looks good on a resume to highlight our GIS project management skills. Gaining GIS skills are important, but project management skills. Gaining GIS skills are important, but it’s showing what can be done with them that gets noticed.it’s showing what can be done with them that gets noticed.

Bryan PavlikBryan Pavlik

(Geog. graduate (Geog. graduate student)student)

Personal AccountsPersonal Accounts

► Kristina SchultzKristina Schultz - GIS 130 (Fall 2010)- GIS 130 (Fall 2010)

Kristina SchultzKristina Schultz - GIS 387 (Spring 2011)- GIS 387 (Spring 2011)

► Stacy TallbergStacy Tallberg - GIS 387 (Spring 2011)- GIS 387 (Spring 2011)

AAG Annual MeetingAAG Annual Meeting April 2011 Seattle,WA April 2011 Seattle,WA

Daniel Rees Former student from Clark University

Henry BulleyCCSU

Lee Ann AdamsCurrent Student at CCSU

 One of the four big trends in software development is Location-based applications (Bill Gates, Wireless 2000 Conference)

A location-based service (LBS) is defined as an information service provided by a device that knows where it is and is capable of modifying the information it provides based on that knowledge.

George Orwell‘s 1949 vision of the world in 1984 featured a Big Brother who was always watching. To what extent, 25 years after the predicted date, has Orwell‘s nightmare been realized?

Any Questions