Teaching practical science online using GIS: a cautionary tale of coping strategies

Argles, Tom (2017). Teaching practical science online using GIS: a cautionary tale of coping strategies. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 41(3) pp. 341–352.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03098265.2017.1315531

Abstract

Strong demand for GIS and burgeoning cohorts have encouraged the delivery of GIS teaching via online distance education models. This contribution reviews a brief foray (2012–2014) into this field by the Open University, deploying open source GIS software to enable students to perform practical science investigations online. The “Remote observation” topic spanned four science disciplines in 6 weeks – an ambitious remit within an innovative overarching module. Documenting the challenges and strategies involved, this paper uses forum usage and student feedback data to derive insights into the student experience and the pitfalls and pleasures of teaching GIS at a distance.

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About

• Item ORO ID
• 49509
• Item Type
• Journal Item
• ISSN
• 1466-1845
• Project Funding Details

• Funded Project Name	Project ID	Funding Body
  Geospatial technologies in distance learning and teaching in Science	Not Set	The Open University (OU)

• Keywords
• GIS; distance education; online forum; buttonology
• Academic Unit or School
• Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) > Environment, Earth and Ecosystem Sciences
  Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
• Copyright Holders
• © 2017 Informa UK Limited
• Depositing User
• Thomas Argles