Abstract

Using GIS in Immersive Educational Experiences: An Example
Track: Teaching with GIS in Higher Education
Author(s): Petra Zimmermann

Immersive educational experiences can engage students in ways that differ from traditional classroom lectures. These projects typically involve interdisciplinary teams of students. Developing projects that use GIS for real-world situations affords students the opportunity to experience the power of this technology. However, this also presents challenges, namely how to teach and train students unfamiliar with spatial concepts or technologies. In this paper, I discuss an example: a project in which a team of students (from six different majors) perform a market analysis and plan for a health-care practitioner interested in opening another office. Because GIS is the basic tool used, team members needed to become familiar with the software and spatial concepts in a short time without benefit of a formal class. I share the different strategies used, discussing which worked and which didn't.

Petra Zimmermann
Ball State University
Department of Geography
Ball State University
Muncie , Indiana 47306
United States
Phone: 765-285-1617
E-mail: pazimmermann@bsu.edu