Abstract
Taking GIS to College
Track: Lightning Talk - Teaching
Authors: Debbie Stevens
William Penn University started its relationship with GIS with an exploratory one-credit course that developed into a three-credit course. However, interest in GIS and how it could be used beyond the classroom spread to other university departments, meriting a more in-depth look at how our small, Midwest, private university could build a useful GIS. The value of using GIS became apparent to the Board of Trustees in strategic planning; to Advancement and Alumni staff when planning events across the nation; for pre-service teachers creating lessons that engage students; to faculty and students seeking to integrate technology into coursework and presentations; and to Maintenance personnel more effectively allocating resources for facility management. Information Services technicians began assisting with the development of dedicated server space for GIS imagery and data, and with a process for user access. GIS is expanding the effectiveness of existing staff and allowing better allocation of scarce resources.