Abstract
Integrating GPS Concepts Into an Introduction to GIS College Course
Track: User Presentations - Teaching
Authors: Amy Price, Chris Breed
In a college course of students from varied majors and backgrounds, two successful projects were developed that incorporate GPS techniques across a wide range of disciplines. These projects attempt to relate directly to the student's interests and directly apply GIS and GPS principles to their major of study. The main foci of the projects are effective GPS use for both Trimble and Garmin units, spatial interpolation methods, and risk assessment/management. This includes using attributes of the local topography and additional project options for areas where varied topography is not available or applicable. The course was designed for students in geology, aviation sciences, environmental science, and geography, but alternative options will be discussed to allow easy incorporation of other majors. Taking a student's focus of study into account for GPS education increases their interest in the course and encourages personal engagement in GIS.