Abstract
GeoPad: Modern Field-Based Science Education Track: Teaching with GIS Author(s): Peter Knoop, Ben van der Pluijm Field-based courses are a cornerstone requirement in many scientific disciplines, such as geology and biology, and, in-the-field access to data collection, analysis, visualization and interpretation greatly enhances these educational practices. Continuing innovation in information technology, especially in the form of increasing portability and new haptic interfaces, offers students access to enriched interactions and learning through in-the-field data analysis and hypothesis testing. Since summer 2003 we have successfully integrated field-based computing in courses taught at the University of Michigan's Camp Davis Field Station, near Jackson, WY. Our focus has been on the incorporation of "GeoPads" (http://geopad.org)--the generic concept of a rugged Tablet PC equipped with digital notebook, ArcGIS, GPS and wireless networking, complemented by camera, microphone-headset, and voice-recognition--into field mapping exercises and field trips. This application of mobile computing particularly strengthens the development of students' spatial reasoning skills and augments other aspects of learning in field-based settings. Peter Knoop University of Michigan School of Information 1075 Beal Ave. Ann Arbor , MI 48109-2112 US Phone: 734-647-8042 E-mail: knoop@umich.edu Ben van der Pluijm University of Michigan Dept. of Geological Sciences 425 E. University Ave. Ann Arbor , MI 48109-1063 US Phone: 734-763-0373 E-mail: vdpluijm@umich.edu |
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