mapping alfred: chasing the geospatial revolutionpeople.alfred.edu/~griggj/bergren2011.pdf · a...

Justin Grigg, GISP

AU Geospatial Technology Specialist

Mapping Alfred:

Chasing the Geospatial Revolution

This presentation:

http://people.alfred.edu/~griggj/Bergren2011.pdf

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Geospatial Technology basics

The geospatial industry...a revolution?

Geospatial Technology at AU

Experiencing the revolution...

VGI = Volunteered Geographic Information

Agenda

What is geospatial technology?

Technologies include:

Virtual Globes =

e.g. Google Earth

GPS = Global

Positioning

Systems

GIS = Geographic

Information

Systems

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Tier 1:

Browser-Based

Programs

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Tier 2:

Free

Software

Tier 3:

Purchased

Software

Functionality

and Cost

Ease of Use

and Accessibility Examples:

• Bing.com/maps

• Weather.com

• mapmyrun.com

Examples:

• Google Earth

• ArcGIS Explorer

Examples:

• ArcGIS Desktop

• CrimeStat

• Pathfinder GPS

What is geospatial technology?

What is GPS?

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Use satellites and receivers to determine a position on

the earth‟s surface. Signal is FREE.

Provides accurate positioning 24 hrs. a day anywhere on

earth.

Once we GPS an object (e.g. - a wireless

communications tower) we can then locate other things

using that object (e.g. you)!

GPS.gov

“[a GIS is] a system for capturing, storing, checking,

integrating, manipulating, analyzing and

displaying data which are spatially referenced to

the Earth”

-UK Department of the Environment (1987: 132)

What is GIS?

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Geospatial data 101

Geographic features have attributes.

Geographic features

organized into layers.

What does geospatial technology facilitate?

Observation

Exploration

Collection

Organization (Management)

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Analyzing /Comparing

Editing

UNDERSTANDING

DECISION MAKING

...thinking spatially!

A revolution?

Statistics on the geospatial industry:

Eighty percent (80%) of information managed by business and

government contains references to a specific location.

Ninety percent (90%) of government information has a

geospatial component.

The geospatial sector has steadily increased by 35% a year with

the commercial side growing at an incredible rate of 100%

annually.

The US Dept. of Labor predicts that the geospatial sector is one

of the three technology areas that will create the most jobs in

the coming decade.

- NYS GIS Association „News Blips‟; Feb 2009

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http://geospatialrevolution.psu.edu/

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A revolution?

Geospatial technology at AU?

“GIS can be an integral part of the liberal arts curriculum

because of its interdisciplinary nature and its emphasis on

quantitative literacy and critical thinking skills.”

“[GIS enables] students to deconstruct complex problems into

individual components and rebuild their understanding of the

situation, all while asking questions across multiple data

layers.”

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- Geographic Information Services in the Undergraduate College:

Organizational Models and Alternatives

cartographica (43:4); 2009

- Managing and Supporting GIS in Higher Educational Contexts

NITLE Transformations; 2006

Historically:

a strong, successful “teach GIS” model

a “departmental” model (ENVS 220, ENVS 320, Special Topics)

Now – extending this model to include:

“teach with GIS” courses and course modules

GLBS 105: The World Using GIS (first offering Spring 2010)

Increased Geospatial Technology Guest Lectures/Labs Next slide...

Coming Soon: A GIS Certificate Program!

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Geospatial technology at AU:

Collaborations in the last 24 months

ART 101: Foundation I (To; Hunter; Illuminato); HIST 110: The Making of Europe (Romanchock); ENVS 240: Environmental Research Procedures I (Beaudry); RLGS 240: Religion in America (Hickey); ART 300: Topics: Space and Place (Hunter); OCST 301: Study Abroad Preparation and Review (Westacott); SOCI 345: Crime and Delinquency (Hicks); ARTH 365: Design & Culture, 1900-Present (Shales);

Children & Youth Learning Initiative (CYLI) (Romanchock); Criminal Justice Studies Institute: Mapping Crime (Heineman);

Faculty Research Support: Chase Angier, MFA (Performing Arts); Dr. Michele Hluchy (Environmental Studies/Geology);

Physical Plant (Dodge); Information Technology Services (Morling); Career Development Center (McFadden); Student Affairs (Pollard); Google Earth Kiosk (Toot)

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Geospatial technology at AU:

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AU “geospatial alumni”

http://las.alfred.edu/faculty/profile.cfm?username=griggj

Let’s Experience the Revolution...

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Wal-Mart openings by year (1962-2010)

http://projects.flowingdata.com/walmart/

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History of the Two-Party Presidential Vote

(1920-2008)

http://dsparks.wordpress.com/2010/11/15/isarithmic-history-of-

the-two-party-vote/

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http://petewarden.github.com/iPhoneTracker/

You

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You...or, in this case, Anton

Generic Names for Soft Drinks by County

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Current Events

Hurricane

Irene

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Current Events

Hydro-fracking

http://www.citizenscampaign.org/special_features/fracking/lease-

mapping-report.asp

Spatial Humanities

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General Lee‟s View of Gettysburg

Salem Witch Trials

...

NY Times: Humanities 2.0

http://topics.nytimes.com/top/features/books/series/humanities_20/

index.html

Google Earth Demonstration

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The ultimate showcase for VGI!

http://people.alfred.edu/~AUGE/

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Alfred in Google Earth

For More Information:

This presentation:

http://people.alfred.edu/~griggj/Bergren2011.pdf

Justin Grigg, GISP

griggj@alfred.edu

871.2840