Abstract

GIS for the FaceBook Generation
Track: Education
Authors: Stephen Lead, Pedro Harris, Danny Savic, Tony Hope, Daniel Miller

The web is full of complicated GIS and mapping applications which are laden with tools, checkboxes and dropdown menus. These systems are designed (usually by GIS experts) for GIS experts, and are mostly unsuitable for the educational audience.
Our goal was to design a powerful mapping application aimed squarely at the iPod and FaceBook generation - kids who never read the manual, but expect things to "just work".
The Atlas of NSW links a comprehensive set of GIS datasets with a rich library of articles, photos, charts and tables - previously maintained by separate Government departments, and delivered on paper. Using an intuitive but powerful mapping window, it brings historical data to life (using the time-aware capabilities of ArcGIS Server 10).
This session will explore some of the challenges we faced in designing an online GIS aimed at the educational sector, and the important lessons we learnt in the process.