AbstractThree Strategies for Raising Awareness of Geospatial Technology Track: Educational Research and Teacher Education Author(s): Ming-Hsiang (Ming) Tsou This paper will introduce three strategies for raising awareness of geospatial technology via the newly established National Geospatial Technology Center (GeoTec Center). The new center was funded by the National Science Foundation (DUE ##0801893) and became the first National Center for promoting geospatial technology in community colleges. The first strategy is to provide real world GIS application examples via the Center’s website rather than introducing basic GIS technology. The second strategy is to integrate Web-based resources and geospatial cyberinfrastructure to provide easy and accessible on-line learning materials for under-representative students and minority groups. The third strategy is to adopt innovative (non-traditional) methods for raising awareness of geospatial technology. The center will provide new media, new tools, and new materials, such as on-line GIS games and downloadable mobile phone applications (on Google’s Android platform or Apple’s iPhone) to attract the young generation of students into the career of geospatial technology. Ming-Hsiang (Ming) Tsou Department of Geography, San Diego State University San Diego State University 5500 Campanile Drive San Diego , California 92182-4493 United States Phone: 619-594-0205 Fax: 619-594-4938 E-mail: mtsou@mail.sdsu.edu |