Abstract
The New Geography 101: Geospatial Thinking with ArcGIS Online
Track: Teaching About GIS for Future Professionals
Authors: Christopher Bone
GIS has become a central component in geography programs around the world. However, unlike the sub-disciplines of human physical geography, GIS is rarely taught as a paradigm to geospatial thinking. This is problematic given how geospatial data and technologies have become ubiquitous in our every day lives. To address this issue, this presentation will discuss how ArcGIS Online will play a central role in both the teaching and administration of Our Digital Earth, a new large entry-level course in the Department of Geography at the University of Oregon. This course is aimed at teaching students about how individuals such as themselves are the new form of geographic data sensors that generate information in order to solve complex and sometimes profound challenges. The objective of this course is to help students understand how emerging forms of GIS allow them to become a part of the geography that surrounds them.