GIS IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Peer Teaching AssignmentCTCH 603

Chris Braun John Wallin

BASIC CONCEPTS

Thinking Spatially

What is Geospatial Data?

What is a Geographic Information System (GIS)?

2

-What is the best way to get home during rush hour traffic?-Does the east end of town have more gang activity in the summer ?-Why is cancer mortality higher in this part of the country?-What houses are in my price range in this part of the city?

Data representing Location (X, Y, Z), Time and Content

A computerized database management system that integrates, stores, manipulates, analyzes, and displays geospatial data visually.

BASIC CONCEPTS GIS Representation

Ability to produce graphics (or maps) on the screen interactively, over time, or on paper to convey the result of analyses to the people who make decisions about….

GIS Applications: -Academics: Geography, Geo-information Science, Geology, Environmental Science, Business, Planning, Public Health, Public Affairs, Social Work, and any subject that requires data representing the condition of the Earth’s surface

-Federal, State, Local Agencies

-Commercial: Hospitals, major corporations, small business

3

REPRESENTING GEOGRAPHIC FEATURES

4

• Vector: Point, Line Polygon

• Raster: Grid (pixel)

• Types of GIS Output• Maps• Charts• Directions• Cartograms• Customer Lists• 3D Diagrams/Movies

GIS INFORMATION ECOLOGY

5

The “Keystone” Librarian• Help define how and where

to best gather, acquire, or sample data

• Assist in the collection of data either directly or indirectly

• Assist in the input of data into the system

Produce a new layer through data overlay.

6

7

EXAMPLE: APPLICATIONS OF GIS

Applications of GIS (via USGS):

Applications by topic:

Applications by industry (via ESRI):

8

GMU LIBRARY GIS SERVICES

Acquires a wide range of data resources (federal, local agencies, and commercial vendors)

Assists in finding geospatial data that is needed for research and course work.

Provides one-on-one research consultation

Provides basic instructions on how to use GIS software such as ArcGIS (GIS@Fenwick Workshop)

Outreach GIS services on campus (Collaborates other university programs to incorporate GIS technology into the curriculum; GIS Day)

9

HOW TO LEARN GIS

GIS@Fenwick Workshops

ESRI’s Virtual Campus Class

GIS courses on campus: Geography (GIS Certificate Program), Community Health, Business, and Public Policy in Arlington.

Online Tutorial Guide:

Video Tutorial Guide:

10

PRACTICAL EXERCISE

http://www.esri.com

• Case Studies• Map Building Exercise

ONLINE APPLICATIONPRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY

LAND RECORDS

BACKUP INFORMATION

LIBRARIES GIS RESOURCES

Facilities:

Four GIS Computers (ArcGIS 9.3, ArcView 3.2, Excel, Access, SPSS, SAS, STATA) in the Government Documents unit. Open to the public during the library hours.

One Instruction Room in Fenwick Library.

14

DATA COLLECTION

Mason Infoguide-Geospatial Data Collection: http://infoguides.gmu.edu/content.php?pid=11647&sid=94034

Libraries Geospatial Web Server: http://129.174.55.51

Online Data Portals: Geodata.gov, Geography Network, National Map Seamless Server. ESRI’s Cartographic Boundary Files.

15

GIS VIDEO TUTORIAL

The Actual Assignment for SOCW 352  “Scenario: As a SOCW 352 student, you will serve the role of a policy analyst for a

large multipurpose county wide human service organization that serve adolescents, low-income families, and older adults with limited financial resources. The Execute Director requests that you prepare an analysis of the county’s anticipated needs on one of the topics:

1) Families with low income, 2) Juvenile crime, 3) Medical coverage to persons with low incomes. In one week, you are to prepare a brief presentation including maps for distribution to the organization’s Board of Directors.

 To complete the task, you will Identify and analyze variables using MS Excel from a database

using the US Census and other sources Create thematic maps using ArcView and ArcMap” 

16

GIS VIDEO TUTORIAL

To help undergraduate students understand and analyze online data using a video tutorial

 

17

CONTACT & URLS

18

For more information, please contact:Joy Suh

hsuh1@gmu.edu

Libraries Geospatial Webserver- http://129/174.55.51Infoguide- http://infoguides.gmu.edu/content.php?pid=11647