Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
editing. Some GIS maps are easily read but cannot be edited, whereas others can be
easy to edit but diffi cult to interpret without advanced skills. Determinants of GIS
selection depend on teaching facilities and budget.
The author currently operates the website “Easy Digital Maps 1 ” to introduce
“easy” GIS for beginners. The materials are categorized in the following groups: (1)
“Looking at GIS Maps”, (2) “Looking at Old GIS Maps”, (3) “Looking at Satellite
Data”, (4) “Looking at Maps in an Atlas in GIS”, (5) “Looking at Statistics for Each
Street Number of Districts in a Town”, (6) “Looking at Local Disaster Risks”, (7)
“Looking at Distribution of Stores”, and (8) “Editing GIS Maps”. A record of web-
page visitor logs was analyzed for one full year in 2010. The fi ndings indicate that
only 20 % of all visitors viewed “Editing GIS Maps”. Thus, most GIS beginners
simply want to look at GIS maps rather than edit them. This trend applies to both
teachers and student users.
The author found that in addition to perusing and editing maps, teachers mark on
printed GIS maps. They select visible items (e.g., roads or buildings), adjust the
scale and zoom the map with GIS, and then print the outline map. Students also
mark symbols or other features on the printed map. Used in this way, GIS is a plat-
form for looking at maps, loosely coined “analog GIS”.
GIS functions can be used for all geographic instruction. For example, reading
GIS maps can be satisfi ed by displaying topographic, large-scale, and satellite maps,
as well as aerial photographs. In case students are expected to make GIS maps, they
can manipulate data to create thematic maps.
The other requirements for implementing GIS in schools are facilities and
budget. Money is needed to set up the facility, which includes but is not limited to
personal computers, software, and internet access in the classrooms. Fujisawa City
( 2007 ) reported that a GIS specialist advised teachers in the city to use the desktop
GIS software Chizutaro. As a result, it was installed on all personal computers for
teachers in every primary and junior high school in the city. Other sources of sugges-
tions include the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), 2
which introduces GIS and selection requirements in their teacher manuals.
15.3.2
Selected and Developed GIS
15.3.2.1
Web GIS
Web GIS uses a web platform by storing data in the cloud to support GIS activities
and only requires access to the Internet and a web browser. Web GIS has the capa-
bility to debug issues quickly and revise online programs, because the application is
on the provider's server(s). Datasets are also stored on that server, allowing the user
immediate access and use. Ugawa et al. ( 2003 ) saw web GIS as a solution to current
budget cuts, simplifying operation menus, and free sharing of maps without a need
1 https://sites.google.com/site/dejichizu/ . Accessed 31 July 2012. (J)
2 http://www.mlit.go.jp/kokudoseisaku/gis/gis/kyoiku/index.html Accessed 31 July 2012. (J)
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