Conference paper
An assessment regime for geographical information systems to promote deeper learning in students of diverse disciplines
Proceedings of the 2010 Australian Technology Network Assessment Conference, pp.1-17
Australian Technology Network (ATN) Assessment Conference: Assessment: Sustainability, Dieversity and Innovation, 2010 (Sydney, Australia, 18-Nov-2010–19-Nov-2010)
University of Technology, Sydney
2010
Abstract
Geographical information systems (GIS) are computer-based systems for the storage, retrieval and analysis of spatial data. They emerged as a tool in the 1950s; however, GIS is now recognised as a science in its own right. GIS enables the integration of data from different disciplinary areas with existing GIS data. Acquiring GIS skills and knowledge is known to improve students' spatial thinking, a highly desirable and valued graduate attribute cited in recent educational reviews both in Australia and internationally. GIS tools - both software and hardware - are becoming simpler and more affordable to use, thereby increasing the popularity of GIS across a diverse range of disciplines. However, these developments - in particular the availability of easy-to-use software applications - have encouraged superficial approaches to both learning and assessment in this emerging discipline. This study analyses the performance in a variety of assessment tasks of students enrolled over a period of four years from 2007 to 2010 in an introductory undergraduate GIS course. The assessment tasks cover the three aspects of GIS as suggested in model GIS curricula, namely: GIS technique; the science behind GIS; and the application of GIS to diverse disciplinary areas. The study attempts to investigate whether disciplinary background together with a student's year level at university might influence performance. This analysis will be used to modify the assessment regime of the course as well as of similar introductory GIS courses, which are becoming popular across several different universities throughout the world, in a way that takes into consideration the disciplinary diversity of the students.
Details
- Title
- An assessment regime for geographical information systems to promote deeper learning in students of diverse disciplines
- Authors
- Sanjeev K Srivastava (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
- Contributors
- N Parker (Editor)K Waite (Editor)
- Publication details
- Proceedings of the 2010 Australian Technology Network Assessment Conference, pp.1-17
- Conference details
- Australian Technology Network (ATN) Assessment Conference: Assessment: Sustainability, Dieversity and Innovation, 2010 (Sydney, Australia, 18-Nov-2010–19-Nov-2010)
- Publisher
- University of Technology, Sydney
- Date published
- 2010
- ISBN
- 9780646546629
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2010 The Author. Reproduced here with permission.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Sustainability Research Cluster
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99449846502621
- Output Type
- Conference paper
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