GIS Software Interface

GIS for GK12 EducatorsIdeals & First StepsDr. Roberto FloresPhysics, Computer Science & Engineering Christopher Newport UniversityNewport News, Virginia USA

OverviewGK12 EducationSpatial ThinkingGIS PrototypeWeb-based GIS application Whats Next?

University of Calgary - September 13, 2011 2GK12 EducationNSF Committeeastronomy, education, geography, geosciences & psychology

Learning to Think Spatially (2006) http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?isbn=0309092086

Spatial ThinkingForm of thinking involving:Spatial DataTools of RepresentationProcesses of Reasoning

University of Calgary - September 13, 2011 3

GK12 EducationNSF Committeeastronomy, education, geography, geosciences & psychology

Learning to Think Spatially (2006) http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?isbn=0309092086

Spatial ThinkingForm of thinking involving:Spatial DataTools of RepresentationProcesses of Reasoning

University of Calgary - September 13, 2011 4

Attributes: location, dimension, continuity, Relationships: separation, clustering, overlapping, Temporal properties: static | dynamicGK12 EducationNSF Committeeastronomy, education, geography, geosciences & psychology

Learning to Think Spatially (2006) http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?isbn=0309092086

Spatial ThinkingForm of thinking involving:Spatial DataTools of RepresentationProcesses of Reasoning

University of Calgary - September 13, 2011 5

to visualizeto manipulate spatial geographical dataGIS is a major technology butit is not for novice usersLike teachersit demands high-end hardwareUnlikely to be found in GK12 schools

Wish List

Component-based customizable collaborative GIS software with a simplified user interfaceGK12 EducationUniversity of Calgary - September 13, 2011 6WISE PrototypeDataGPS locationNutrientsNitrite (NO2), Nitrate (NO3), Ammonia & pHMacro-Invertebrates Some species more/less resistant to pollutantsSedimentsTurbidity blocks sunlight

University of Calgary - September 13, 2011

7http://gk12.cnu.edu/WISE PrototypeClient/ServerServer hosts GIS software & data.Clients use interface to add & access data.

NN SchoolNN SchoolCNUUniversity of Calgary - September 13, 2011 8Clients Web browser & Adobe FlashServer ArcGISDataWISE PrototypeUniversity of Calgary - September 13, 2011 SiteTeacherStudentSchoolSedimentNutrientMacro InvertebrateGPS pointnamenamename/initialsname, extentname, latitude, longitudeNO2,NO3,pH,ammonia,datebiotic index, datevalue, date deployed, date collected11+*11*1***9WISE PrototypeMain ScreenAll users

LoginView DataUniversity of Calgary - September 13, 2011 10

WISE PrototypeEditing dataGuest / Student / TeacherLoginUniversity of Calgary - September 13, 2011 11

WISE PrototypeEditing dataMain Screen (Teacher)AddOne-day PassViewVerifyUniversity of Calgary - September 13, 2011 12

WISE PrototypeAdding dataSiteSedimentsBugsNutrientsGPS PointsSiteUniversity of Calgary - September 13, 2011 13

WISE PrototypeAdding dataGPS pointSedimentsBugsNutrientsGPS PointsSiteUniversity of Calgary - September 13, 2011 14

WISE PrototypeAdding dataNutrientsSedimentsBugsNutrientsGPS PointsSiteUniversity of Calgary - September 13, 2011 15What is Next?WISE PrototypeShort-term: Exploring feasibility & functionalityNSF GoalLong-term: Educators need a GIS app builder

University of Calgary - September 13, 2011 16Component-based customizable collaborative GIS software with a simplified user interfaceWhat is Next?What do we mean byComponent-basedBuilding-block functionalityScalable & RobustCustomizableUser-defined compositionCollaborativeDistributed system:Multiple locationsMultiple participants (+privileges)Multiple devicesSimple GUIIntuitive to use by novices (builders + users)Easy to deploy & maintain (using limited resources)University of Calgary - September 13, 2011 17Component-based customizable collaborative GIS software with a simplified user interfaceGIS ConceptsGeographic Information SystemSoftware able to store, manipulate & display geographically referenced information (data identified by a location)University of Calgary - September 13, 2011 18

APPENDIXGIS ConceptsData PropertiesLocationAttributesSpatial relationshipsData ModelsVector: Point, Line, Polygon (area)Raster: pixel pictures (satellite images)ProjectionsMercator, et al. (be consistent)Query & AnalyzingPulling information from a GISOverlaying & Buffering

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For more:Google: GIS tutorialAPPENDIX