Abstract
Promoting Critical Thinking Through Integrative Project Based GIS Learning
Track: Teaching About GIS for Future Professionals
Authors: Jonathan Fleming, Greg Gaston
Students from a variety of fields are enrolling in GIS courses, yet the 'geography' in geographic information systems is still critically important. How do GIS instructors, inculcate critical spatial thinking skills into this diverse group who lack a background provided by traditional geographic curricula? We have tested an integrative project based approach that succeeds in training practical applications of GIS while still developing necessary skills to think spatially and understand basic principles of geographic thought. In our introductory courses we have moved from a high volume of theoretical lectures and a low volume of practical application, to the opposite. We present examples of a variety of projects, along with insights garnered throughout our years of teaching GIS. We are confident these methods meet the challenge of training practical applications of GIS to students from a variety of backgrounds, while giving them strong spatial analysis skills.