Learning to Think Spatially (2006) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
9 GIS as a Support System for Spatial Thinking
9 GIS as a Support System for Spatial Thinking
Pages 217-226
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 217... ...
Although GIS does a fine job spatializing geographic data, it provides only modest support for nonspatial data, and fails to support a true three-dimensional model of space. As a visualization system, GIS provides tools for high-quality production of multiple forms of representation.
|
From page 218... ...
GIS possesses many of the necessary requirements of a system for thinking spatially, although the committee notes that much of the initial learning about GIS -- and indeed spatial thinking -- can take place without the support of computers, network connections, and software. 9.3 THE DESIGN OF GIS AS A SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR SPATIAL THINKING IN THE K12 EDUCATIONAL CONTEXT In the committee's view, existing versions of GIS can meet 6 out of the 10 criteria for the design of a support system in K12 education.
|
From page 219... ...
Today's professional GIS is fully compatible with the standard office computer, but schools lag behind the cutting edge of computing technology. Therefore, a GIS designed to support spatial thinking in the K12 context would have to run on the types of hardware typically found in schools.
|
From page 220... ...
However, neither the curriculum nor the curriculum support materials designed to develop spatial thinking skills exist, even though a suite of support tools is available. Because spatial thinking is a skill that can and should be learned by all students, we need a systematic educational program that begins with the development of national spatial thinking standards.
|
From page 221... ...
In the committee's view, GIS · has significant potential and some limitations as a system for supporting spatial thinking across a range of subjects in the K12 curriculum, but for numerous reasons, that potential is not yet close to being realized; · can and should be redesigned to accommodate the full range of learners and school contexts; and · must be supported by a systematic implementation program. Therefore, the committee sees GIS as exemplifying both the theoretical power of a system for supporting spatial thinking and the practical design and implementation problems that must be faced in the K12 context.
|
From page 222... ...
Recent computers are well equipped to handle larger packages of software and especially data. Internal disk drives are typi cally 10 times the size they were a few years ago, and external hard drives are even larger; disk space is cheap.
|
From page 223... ...
. However, ArcView 9 can project, on the fly, both vector and raster data and integrate multiple data sets stored in any coordinate system, as long as the data contain appropri ate projection information.
|
From page 224... ...
(However, users who are not particularly comfortable with the multiwindow nature of sophisticated Windows software [with hierarchical options, cascading sub-menus, tabbed property windows leading to sequential dialog boxes, and stacks of toolbars] find the increased blizzard of options in ArcView 9 even more intimidating than in ArcView 3.)
|
From page 225... ...
GIS AS A SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR SPATIAL THINKING 225 FIGURE 9.3 An oblique perspective view of North America showing earthquakes (greater than 3.0 on the Richter scale)
|
From page 226... ...
8. ArcGIS includes a new geodatabase format that can be thought of as a "project file cabinet," with rules affecting the nature of the stored data.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.