Location
Natural Resources Room 108
Event Website
http://uenr.warnercnr.colostate.edu
Start Date
3-24-2012 1:30 PM
End Date
3-24-2012 2:00 PM
Description
This case study presentation outlines an ongoing partnership between Western Illinois University and the Army Corps of Engineers Mark Twain Lake (ACOE) that allows students to integrate classroom knowledge into field-based work. While attending a series of classes students receive appropriate natural resource management curriculum, practice GIS skills through labs, and engage in the planning and implementation of an actual facility. First, the students visit the area, engaging in a tour giving them an overview of the area. Second, they create an open space plan for a recreation area that is devoid of facilities or underutilized. GIS is utilized in the classroom to display digital orthophoto quadrangles (DOQ) of the area and delineate possible activity/use zones. In the first project, the “Indian Creek” area open space plan resulted in the identification of a need for multi-use trails between campsites and beaches. Thus, in the third class, students performed on-site planning and layout by marking trails and using GPS units to map trails, again using the open space plan (budgets, etc.) and DOQ. In the final class, students will assist in on-site construction of trails, working in conjunction with ACOE personnel and contractors. Through this series of courses the students receive hands on experience with GIS/GPS and open space planning, while the ACOE benefits by receiving the opportunity to offer more services to park users. Similar projects with other agencies are in the planning stages. The presentation will also discuss challenges to alternative learning experiences. In context of service learning, challenges presented include finding agencies to collaborate with, scheduling time outside the classroom, and liability issues associated with on site work. The problem of managing the broad spectrum of the quality of student work in context of agency expectations will also be addressed. The challenges of integrating geospatial technology into the classroom will be discussed, including teaching techniques, student trepidation toward such technology, and time needed for adequate comprehension of the GIS software. The presentation will include time for discussion and sharing of experiences by conference participants using similar service learning pedagogies and geospatial technologies.
Site Planning Using GIS: University / Agency Service Learning Collaboration
Natural Resources Room 108
This case study presentation outlines an ongoing partnership between Western Illinois University and the Army Corps of Engineers Mark Twain Lake (ACOE) that allows students to integrate classroom knowledge into field-based work. While attending a series of classes students receive appropriate natural resource management curriculum, practice GIS skills through labs, and engage in the planning and implementation of an actual facility. First, the students visit the area, engaging in a tour giving them an overview of the area. Second, they create an open space plan for a recreation area that is devoid of facilities or underutilized. GIS is utilized in the classroom to display digital orthophoto quadrangles (DOQ) of the area and delineate possible activity/use zones. In the first project, the “Indian Creek” area open space plan resulted in the identification of a need for multi-use trails between campsites and beaches. Thus, in the third class, students performed on-site planning and layout by marking trails and using GPS units to map trails, again using the open space plan (budgets, etc.) and DOQ. In the final class, students will assist in on-site construction of trails, working in conjunction with ACOE personnel and contractors. Through this series of courses the students receive hands on experience with GIS/GPS and open space planning, while the ACOE benefits by receiving the opportunity to offer more services to park users. Similar projects with other agencies are in the planning stages. The presentation will also discuss challenges to alternative learning experiences. In context of service learning, challenges presented include finding agencies to collaborate with, scheduling time outside the classroom, and liability issues associated with on site work. The problem of managing the broad spectrum of the quality of student work in context of agency expectations will also be addressed. The challenges of integrating geospatial technology into the classroom will be discussed, including teaching techniques, student trepidation toward such technology, and time needed for adequate comprehension of the GIS software. The presentation will include time for discussion and sharing of experiences by conference participants using similar service learning pedagogies and geospatial technologies.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cuenr/9thBiennial/Sessions/44
Comments
Citation: Porter, R. 2012. Site Planning Using GIS: University / Agency Service Learning Collaboration. UENR 9th Biennial Conference. http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cuenr/9thBiennial/Sessions/44/