Learning to Apply GIS in Interdisciplinary Research: From Theory to Practice

Learning and Applying GISin

Interdisciplinary Research: From Theory to Practice

Patrick Rickles & Claire Ellul

Standardised Education of GIS

Using Geographic Information Systems

The Right Tool for the Right Job

Understanding Space

Learning Process

Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development - Types of Learning

Informal: Experiential

Non-Formal: Semi Structured, No Certification

Formal: Structured, Certified

Standardised, Formal Education

NCGIA Core Curriculum (1990)

GIS&T Body of Knowledge (2006)

Learning about GIS

G1. Analytical Methods

G2. Cartography and Visualization

G3. Design Aspects

G4. Conceptual Foundations

G5. Data Modeling

GIS&T Body of Knowledge

G6. Data Manipulation

G7. Geocomputation

G8. Geospatial Data

G9. GIS&T and Society

G10. Organizational and Institutional Aspects

GIS&T Body of Knowledge

How are people ACTUALLY

learning GISand which concepts

are relevant?

Personal Journeys of Learning GIS

SURVEY PARTICIPANTS1. Anthropologist2. Psychologist3. Cultural Geographer4. Environmental Scientist5. Social Entrepreneur

Varying Backgrounds (age, gender, etc.)

Varying Technical Expertise

Varying Levels of Exposure to GIS and Depth of Use

QUALITATIVE INTERVIEWS

Background Questions on Interdisciplinary Research and GIS Applications

Identifying Relevant GIS Concepts

Perspectives on Training (If Offered)

GIS Tasks Performed and Ways of Obtaining Information

FINDINGS

GIS&T BoK Knowledge Area 1 2 3 4 5

Analytical Methods 6 3 4 - 1

Cartography and Visualization 1 5 1 2 2

Conceptual Foundations 5 7 - 1 4

Data Manipulation 4 2 - - 6

Data Modeling 8 - 5 1 -

Design Aspects 9 4 3 1 7

Geocomputation 7 - - - -

Geospatial Data 2 1 2 2 3

GIS&T and Society 3 6 6 3 5

Organizational & Institutional Aspects 10 - - - -

“Identifying Important Concepts in GIS in Interdisciplinary Research” (Rickles & Ellul, 2014)

FINDINGS

GIS&T BoK Terms: Jargon or Vague

“Geospatial Data” and “Cartography and Visualization” – Important

Keen on Training Face-to-FaceDependent on Time

Informal Learning through Google, YouTube, Forums, and Personal Help

“Simple Search Terms for Simple Answers”

FINDINGS

“Do People Understand Spatial Concepts: The Case of First-Order Primitives” (Golledge, 1992)

1. “Simple” Concepts not Comprehended by Many

2. Terms not Widely Understood

3. Unaware of Environmental Characteristics

4. Many Misunderstandings in “Common Sense”

5. Differing Modelling Criteria

6. Need for Expert Knowledge

Future Directions and Growth

Further Work for Robustness Language

Optimisation

Establishing Underlying Knowledge

How did you learn and apply GIS in Interdisciplinary

Research?

https://opinio.ucl.ac.uk/s?s=32249

@mapperpat