Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Exercise 5-8 (Project)
Obtaining Field Data and Joining Tables
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A Discussion of the Project:
This is a cooperative class exercise with several objectives:
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To collect “field data” in the classroom by making measurements
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To understand some coordination issues associated with collecting data
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To gain an appreciation of how errors can occur in GIS data collection
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To enable each student to work in a small team of classmates
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To learn to enter non-spatial data into ArcGIS
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To learn to join tables associated with a spatial geodataset with non-spatial data
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To discover problems that can occur with data collection
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To do something different (and fun) in lab
The process will go like this:
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Each student will be assigned to one of four teams (A, B, C, or D).
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Each student will be assigned a three digit identifying number, (e.g., 612).
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Each student will write the ID number on a sticky note, along with an “X” (See Figure 5-16) and will
place that on the top of his or her computer terminal or desk.
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Each team will perform a measurement or recording task.
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Each team will perform a second measurement or recording task.
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The data from the teams will be shared by all students.
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Each student will enter data in
___IGIS-Arc_
YourInitials
\Student_Data_Collection.
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The spatial data will go into a text file table and the non-spatial data into a database table.
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Each student will make a map showing the locations of the computer terminals or desks.
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The tables of spatial and non-spatial data will be joined so that the map can provide all recorded
information about each student.
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This is an exercise that requires about an hour of class time in which students in teams collect data in the classroom.
It works best if there are between 12 and 20 students participating. Instructors should see the Wiley web site for advice
on how to conduct the exercise. If you decide not to collect the data but just do the software part of the exercise you
may use some sample data in [___]IGIS-Arc_AUX. The two required datasets are in an Excel spreadsheet named
Exercise_5-8_Student_Computer_Data.xls. They are saved as Sheet1 and Sheet2. However, you should read through
the entire exercise so you will understand how these datasets are used.
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