Abstract
Enhancing Tectonics Learning with Web GIS
Track: Teaching with GIS Across the Curriculum
Authors: Lori Cirucci, Dork Sahagian, Alec Bodzin, David Anastasio, Allison Teletzke, Denise Bressler
GIS promotes geospatial thinking by enabling powerful data visualizations and enhancing scientific inquiry in secondary classrooms. Despite its potential, GIS implementation in middle school classrooms faces technological hurdles and teacher training deficits limiting widespread adoption. To address these barriers, we developed tectonics curriculum materials that incorporate JavaScript-based Web GIS activities portable on tablets, laptop and desktop computers. The Web GIS interface is designed for simplicity, intuition, and convenience, making it easier for diverse middle school learners and their teachers to conduct authentic tectonics investigations than is presently possible. The intuitive interface enables diverse learners to develop geospatial thinking skills that are important for understanding Earth's structures and tectonic processes. We illustrate how students are able to perform tectonics investigations that include geospatial analysis, map visualization and query, and the manipulation of geospatial data. Findings from our prototype implementation in urban classrooms show enhanced student outcomes and teacher fidelity.
Paper