Teaching Core but Perhaps "Boring" Geography Concepts in Engaging Ways Using Web GIS tools and data

Keywords: geography instruction, teaching geography, GIS, core geographic concepts
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Monday
Session Start / End Time: 2/28/2022 05:20 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/28/2022 06:40 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 56

Abstract

How can core concepts in geography, including some that some may perceive as dry or boring concepts, be taught using web GIS tools and data in engaging ways? Join geographer, GIS professional, and educator Joseph Kerski as we explore how modern interactive 2D and 3D web maps, field data collection tools, spatial analytics in a cloud based environment, mapping applications such as dashboards and story maps, and real-time streaming data services can enhance engagement, critical thinking, and spatial thinking. This presentation will cover core concepts of spatial resolution, scale, map projections, the hydrologic and carbon cycles, the modifiable areal unit problem, Tobler's First Law of Geography, and selected others. These approaches have been successfully tested and implemented within a varied set of institutions with students of a wide variety of backgrounds and experience. All of the tools and data sets focused on in this paper are accessible to students and faculty, powerful but approachable, and are rapidly expanding. They can be applied to teaching and learning in physical geography and cultural geography across such topics as natural hazards, weather and climate, population change, land use, economic, social, and racial equity, water, energy, habitat, and many others.