AbstractCurriculum Development of Spatial Technology in Industrial Technology Track: Teaching with GIS in Higher Education Author(s): Matthew Yen, Balaji Sethuramasamyraja Geographical Information Systems (GIS) is a powerful teaching and research tool in higher education. The Department of Industrial Technology has endeavored to introduce spatial technology into a traditional technology education program. New courses were introduced both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. There are a number of obstacles: disciplinary compatibility, infrastructural inertia, turf resistance, faculty learning curve, software support, hardware integration, course materials availability, data accessibility, student readiness, and many others. This paper discusses issues of implementing new courses and curriculum in the Department of Industrial Technology, College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, California State University, Fresno. A new emphasis in Agricultural Information Systems is proposed as a result of the introduction of a GIS related course. This curriculum will address the emerging needs in the agricultural community. The emphasis has potential to facilitate the department in transforming from a traditional vocational education oriented program into an engaging research oriented technology program. Matthew Yen California State University, Fresno 7642 N. Mansionette Dr. Fresno , CA 93720 US Phone: 559-278-4201 E-mail: matthewy@csufresno.edu Balaji Sethuramasamyraja Department of Industrial Technology Industrial Technology 2255 E. Barstow Av. Fresno , CA 93740 US Phone: 559-278-2145 E-mail: balajis@csufresno.edu |