Introducing GIS & GPS into an undergraduate Field Methods course in

the Urban Environment

Wm. W. Montgomery,

Ph.D.

New Jersey

City University

Why GIS / GPS ?

• Useful skill set

• Marketable skill set

• Transcends disciplines

• Belongs to one of the Top Ten fastest-growing disciplines of the 21st century (Dept of Labor)

• Enables demographically diverse students from NJCU to be “job-ready”

How we incorporate GIS & GPS at NJCU:

• GIS I / II (Applications / Analysis) courses are one of only a handful that satisfy Quantitative & Computer Literacy General Studies requirement (read: alternative to Math)

• 12 CH GIS Certificate (full online deliverability)• 18 CH GIS Concentration (w/ Comp Sci)• Recently integrated into Community Health

curriculum• Integrating into the “home” Geoscience /

Geography curriculum as older faculty have retired and new courses could be introduced

Example of GIS & GPS integration into our “evolving” Field Methods course

• Two examples offered today:– Use GPS to locate outcrops in a simple

geologic mapping exercise at High Point S.P.

– Use plane table / alidade, GPS, and Electronic Total Station in mapping topography and use ArcScene to help students visualize the power of contour mapping

Integrate GPS into outcrop & geologic mapping exercise:

Old method:

Provide blank

topo map, take

students to each

outcrop

Integrate GPS into outcrop & geologic mapping exercise:

New Approach:

Student use

topo map &

airphoto, with

key outcrops

located

Insights thanks to introduction of GPS in outcrop & geologic mapping exercise:

• With a list of companion coordinates and a GPS unit, students can have some fun orienteering to find the outcrops, and they report a sense of accomplishment that they could find something in a foreign, rural environment (the “woods”)

• Because NJCU Geo majors are non-traditional, work to support families, etc, GPS in this exercise provides them with an “asynchronous” option that fits their schedules, enabling them to persist and complete the exercise

• Students continue to learn the basics about locating and identifying rocks and measuring their attitudes and properties, rather than missing this rare opportunity

Using GPS & GIS to map topography:Old Method: Students used plane table & alidade to map topography

Using GPS & GIS to map topography:New Method: GPS & ETS bring the exercise into 21st Century

Using GPS & GIS to map topography:New Method: GPS & ETS bring the exercise into 21st Century

GIS-based 3D viewing aids students in understanding the power of contouring

Insights thanks to introduction GPS & GIS in topographic mapping exercise:

• Plane table / alidade usage facilitates understanding of the “nuts and bolts” of basic surveying (GL, Instrument Height, positive vs negative inclinations, etc)

• Incorporation of GPS & ETS presents modern equipment to Geo majors & provides basis for comparison to data acquired by older technology

• Wrestling with different data sets provides excellent opportunities for critical thinking and problem-solving in a team setting, presenting the students with yet another opportunity: Interpersonal skill development

• GIS’ 3D capability enables students to grasp the concept of “contouring” more rapidly and effectively than by former method of students simply contouring plane table data

3D Arcscene demo if time permits;Following that, conclusions:

• Introduction of GIS & GPS skills are essential to viability of any 21st century Field Methods course

• Development of GIS & GIS skills represent a major challenge, but their value can be appreciated by students, especially when fun, humor, patience, & team learning are incorporated

• GIS & GPS data acquisition & mapping can be placed in historical context with older tools that, combined, help facilitate development of 3D visualization & spatial reasoning, critical skills in the development of any practicing 21st century Geoscientist

QUESTIONS?