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Institutions | Training | Online Education | Papers / Articles
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Teaching GIS Principles Through Multimedia Based GIS Tutor |
The technical layout part starts with a brief introduction about the tutor and GRAM++ GIS package followed by sixteen technical sections. Introduction section gives the definition of GIS, data integration by Geography, GIS components and why to use GIS. The topics on representation of the world in GIS explains the map model concept, layers, objects, nature of spatial data, coordinate systems, scale, projection and basic map design (Fig. 3). Section on attributes of spatial data introduces the types of non-spatial attributes associated with spatial features, records, fields, keys and building of queries on tables. Spatial data models, section talks about raster data model with examples, advantages and limitations, vector data model, examples, topological structure in vector data features and advantages and limitations. It also covers encoding in raster data model using run length method (Fig. 4) and quadtree.
Data Input covers input devices and methods, various existing data sources in spatial and non-spatial forms. Data conversion section talks about various raster and vector exchange formats, interoperability, raster to vector and vector to raster conversion, combining raster and vector in soft and hard copy and the geo registration of maps.
Data editing shows with illustrations the onscreen digitization of vector data, cleaning, topology creation, rasterization, creation of tabular data, attribute data verification and projection transformation. Data viewing and tabular analysis explains the analysis of non-spatial database, viewing attributes of spatial data objects, generation of maps on attribute query and statistical map generation. Spatial analysis functions section gives elementary analysis functions, classification functions, measurement functions, overlay operations, neighbourhood operations, connectivity functions and cartographic modeling. Digital Terrain Model explains representation of terrain, spatial interpolation, Triangulated Irregular Networks (TIN), visualization, intervisibility and watershed generation. Spatial Statistics section explains descriptive Statistics, point based and area based statistical measures, spatial pattern and gravity model. Network Analysis illustrates network model, attributes of network, connectivity, routing, location and allocation and applications.
Role of Remote Sensing talks about principles of Remote Sensing, Data Sources, preprocessing, enhancement and classification algorithms and integration of Remote Sensing with GIS. GIS output section describes output devices, map design principles, interactive output, tables and charts and generation of thematic maps. GPS in GIS explains the role of GPS data in GIS application studies. Data quality section narrates the components of data quality, sources of errors, accuracy test and the concept of meta data base. Spatial Decision Support System gives the definition and explains the concept with examples. Each of the above technical section is assisted with graphical presentations and quiz (Fig. 5). Some of the functionality is explained through animation (Fig. 6).
Following the technical part, a series of case studies are given as show cases explaining the objective of the study, data used, flow chart of analysis and the results generated. This section also refers to OGIS standards, WWW GIS Resources, Internet GIS, a bibliography and Glossary on GIS terminology. The uniqueness of this tutor is the provision of a GIS package GRAM++ with hands-on exercises, test data sets to run the exercises and user documentation explaining the steps to be followed while carrying out the exercises.
Conclusion
This article illustrates an attempt made in the Centre of Studies in Resources Engineering, Indian Institute of technology, Bombay, India to develop a multimedia based tutor around GRAM++, an indigenous GIS package. The tutor is one of the deliverables under the ongoing UNDP assisted project on "GIS Based Technologies for Local Level Development Planning". The tutor is expected to be a useful teaching aid for spreading GIS education across different level of users in the developing countries.
References
- Eastman R., and Warren, S. (1987). IDRISI: a collective geographic analysis project, International Proceedings of Auto-Carto 8, Falls Church, V.A : American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, pp. 421-430.
- Green, N.P.A. (1987). Teach yourself geographical information systems: the design, creation and use of demonstrators and tutors. International Journal of Geographical Information Systems, 1, 279-290
- Raper, J.F., and Green, N.P.A. (1989). Development of a hypertext based tutor for Geographic Information Systems, British journal of Educational Technology, 3, 164-172.
- Raper, J., and Green, N. P.A. (1992). Teaching the principles: Lessons from the GISTutor project. International Journal of Geographical Information Systems, 6, 279-290.
- Stuart Neil. (1995). Book Reviews - GISTutor2 for Windows, International Journal of Geographical Information Systems, 9, 647-649.
- Tomlin, D. (1983). Digital cartographic modelling techniques in environmental planning, Ph.D. Dissertation , New haven, C: Yale University.
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