Using Information Technologyin the Field

Peter KnoopUniversity of Michigan

Sakai Foundation / School of Information / Department of Geological Sciences

Using Information Technologyin the Field

• Equipping Yourself• Examples – Field Mapping– Mobile Classroom

• Feedback

Equipment:Hardware, Software, and Logistics

• Geopad and GeoPocket – Not products, just short-hand– Tablet PC and Pocket PC

GeoPad is short-hand for a field-durable Tablet PC equipped with Geographic Information System (GIS) software, Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, wireless networking, electronic notebook and other pertinent hardware and software.

Durability:Ruggedized versus Consumer

• Water-proof!• Dust-proof !• Drop-proof! (resistant?)• Screen – weak-point

• “None of the above”• Overheats in cases• Not bright enough• Inexpensive!

GeoPad Tablet PCs

• Panasonic CF-19• Getac V100• Xplore iX104C4• Other options? (Non-ruggedized but outdoor

viewable)– Fujitsu (OtterBox for semi-ruggedizing)– HP 2710p (no ruggedizing option yet)

• (GeoPockets – Pocket PCs – HP iPAQs, etc.)

Ergonomics:Comfort, Convenience and Safety

• Slate versus Convertible Tablet PCs– Converting in field versus at camp

• Learn how to use the pen!• Use the rest of the year?

– External USB Keyboard• More flexibility for touch-typists

• Practical Experiences– Slates more durable– Convertibles easier to utilize year-round– Useful life-cycle of ruggedized much longer

Ergonomics:Comfort, Convenience and Safety

• Hands-free harness– Avoid opportunities to drop it– Out of the way when necessary– No easy one-size solution– Integrate with student’s backpack

Ergonomics:Comfort, Convenience and Safety

• Cables– Avoid entanglement

• Leverage operating system capabilities– left-hand vs. right-hand configuration– screen calibration– accessibility features

Daylight Viewable Displays

• Need to be able to see in direct sunlight– Not quite there yet? (Bright desert sun…)

• Things that can help– Position body to block or reflect– Adjust contrast or color scheme of aerial photos

Screen Size

• Tablet PC vs. Pocket PC screen• Screen real estate is key for those developing

spatial reasoning, not so important for those that already have such skills.

• What is the goal of your exercise and what skills are involved? – Spatial-reasoning? – Point-based data collection and simple trending?

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Screen Orientation

• Landscape• Portrait• Easy to switch, really

just a personal preference

The Stylus

– Erasers are convenient and intuitive!

– Not necessarily ruggedized

– Tether?– Left-handed and Right-

handed– Dual-mode Screens: the

stylus and touch together

Memory

• 1GB RAM Minimum Recommended (2007)• Key to smooth application switching, and

uninterrupted thinking and learning experience

Disk

• Generally large amounts unnecessary• One project at a time• Not long-term repositories

Wireless: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Cellular

• Reduces battery life• What are your goals?– Data distribution and backup– Collaboration (Mobile classroom) using

networking in the field or between vehicles– Cable-less external GPS units– Internet access in field

Ports

• Minimize use for safety; consider wireless alternatives

• Protective covers can break-off• Ruggedized ports; peripherals with

proprietary connectors can be expensive

Cameras

• What are you using it for?– Documentation– Collaboration– Microscope

• External - more charging, wireless connectivity to avoid cable

• Integrated - no cabling, may be awkward to point where needed

GPS

• Internal versus External – very similar in precision and accuracy these days

• External needs charging• External needs cable (wireless preferred, but

drains batteries faster)• Internal more likely to be ruggedized

Data Backup (and Distribution)

• USB flash drives• Wireless network • Only need to focus on critical information

(student work)• NetSupport

Configuration Management

• Easily restore a computer to a known state – Set-up a unit with everything you want – Takes 15-20 minutes to restore image– Can do in the field (w/ cross-over cable)

• Symantec Ghost, Microsoft Sysprep– What’s already in use locally?– Rely on your tech staff’s preferences or existing

university licensing options

Batteries and Power

• Long-life batteries; fewer things to charge• Battery calibration, if only in-use occasionally• External battery chargers – Charge while in the field– Charge multiple batteries

• Generator (and gas can, extension cords, power strips) – Ultra-quiet – Electronic Equipment sensitive

Printer

• What are your goals?• Ruggedized printer?– Interpreted survey data for reference

• Large-format size• Water-proof paper

IT Security

• Will you be “on the net”?• Virus Scan software, firewalls, etc.• Use accounts and passwords• Don’t cut corners!

Leverage Local Expertise

• Will you have IT support or are you on your own?

• What is your support staff comfortable with?• What educational discounts do you already

have for hardware?• What software is already licensed to your

University?• GeoPad Community Email List

(geopad@umich.edu)

Course Focus and Pre-requisites

• Spectrum of approaches– Geology and already know GIS– Geology and teach GIS– Geology and GIS as black-box

• Key factors to consider– Educational Goals– Instructor Background and Skills– Student Background and Skills

GIS Software

• ESRI ArcGIS and ArcPad• Other GIS options? (MapIt!, microDEM)– Compelling reason not to give student experience

with industry “standard”?– What are your educational goals?

Learning GIS and Geology• Create an ArcMap project

– Gathering data– Generating data– Clipping data– Personal geodatabase

• Sub-Types• Feature Classes

– Symbology• Contact Mapping

– Snap-to-feature– building polygons from contacts

• Structural Data (e.g., strike-and-dip)• Fault• Observation Point

Black-box GIS and Learning Geology

• Instructor creates ArcMap (and ArcScene) project– Customize and simplify interface for students – Domains– Base Heights– Linking to notes and photos

• Outcrop mapping– Mapping with polygons– Final map

• Arcmap and ArcScene together• Survey Mapping (Magnetics, Gravity)• Sketch Mapping

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Non-GIS Software Examples• OneNote – note taking• ArcScene/iView 3D/Pokescope – 3D visualization• ArcSketch• Stereonet• NetSupport - collaboration• Word – reports• Excel - modeling• General (email, web browsing, digital

photography, etc.) – gain familiarity with technology

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Stereo 3-D in the Field…

…with ArcScene and Pokescope.

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Collaborative Activities

• Mobile Classroom• “Shared-pointer”• CB Audio• Students still need

down-time

Best Practices• Match your educational goals and technology– Have to make trade-offs– Do not just “add technology”!– Rethink your goals!

• Introduce Incrementally– Important regardless of your goals

• Think beyond just GPS and GIS!• Assessment– Measure not just the students, but yourselves, the

technology, and the curriculum

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More Best Practices….

• GPS Debate: Give to students or not?• Enough for everyone! Problems switching

back to traditional methods• Instructors don’t know GIS? Make sure you

have GSI’s (TA’s) that do.

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Assessment• 2003-2007 Student and Instructor evaluations and

interviews• Students and Instructors very positive in feedback• Overall satisfaction with GeoPad experience was

“excellent”; an average of 3.9 out of 4• Negative feedback dealt almost exclusively with

technical limitations:– screen brightness– battery life– hands-free carrying harness

Assessment

• School of Information grad student projects:– Spatial-Reasoning skills – screen size– Intuitiveness of interface – customizing Toolbars– Remote Collaboration – importance of shared

pointers and audio– Other aspects of experience…

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Evaluation Outcomes

• “Student reactions are based more on utility considerations, rather than the novelty of the technology”

• “General capabilities of GeoPad enhanced their ability to see – to visualize – the different geologic structures”

• “Students are not reacting (positively or negatively) to the novelty aspect of GeoPad, but rather positively to the capabilities associated with it”

More Information

• SERC Website– http://serc.carleton.edu/research_education/geo

pad

• GeoPad Website– http://geopad.org

• GeoPad Email List (geopad@umich.edu)

HP Video….