CwTI 2007

An Introduction to GIS

How Geographical Information Systems
Can Enhance Your Research and Pedagogy

May 21-24, 2007

What is CwTI?

The Communicating with Technology Initiative (CwTI) focuses on technology issues that impact communication skills by providing mentoring, training workshops, and development support for faculty and students. Many faculty have already participated in the past events.

Workshop Schedule

Introducing CwTI 2007: An Introduction to GIS

As a Whitman faculty member, you may have heard students, colleagues, or others talking about “GIS” (gee-eye-ess). You may also be aware that Whitman has a GIS Lab. Did you know that GIS technologies have pedagogical uses? Did you know that these technologies offer exciting possibilites for a broad range of academic fields (not just geographers...)? Have you found yourself wanting to get the "GISt" of GIS? This year’s Communicating with Technology Initiative (CwTI) workshop will focus on introducing you to GIS and its potential for your teaching and research.

During the Introduction to GIS workshop, faculty participants will explore the wide world of Geographical Information Systems. Starting with an exposure to a variety of online mapping tools and resources. participants will gain an understanding of finding, using, and augmenting maps (with statistical information and multimedia elements). Exercises in "georeferencing" will allow participants to examine the possibilites of how hand-held GPS units ("Global Positioning System") can gather map data in the field and then correlate it with existing maps. Finally, participants will be introduced to ESRI's "ArcGIS" software-- the flagship software of the GIS world.

No prior experience with GIS is necessary to attend this workshop, and each participant will be equipped with his/her own hand-held GPS unit.

2007 Participants

Richard Ashford
Juan Burciaga
Jan Crouter
Heidi Dobson
Brian Dott
Jacquie Woodfork

Workshop Results

The CwTI 2007 workshop experience encouraged faculty participants to continue developing their understanding and use of GIS technology both in their classrooms as well as in their research. Through the workshop lessons and dialogue with Technology Services staff, participants generated a wide variety of ideas on their further development of GIS-enhanced projects.

Tell me more… what is "GIS"?

Learn more about GIS on the web:

The GIS Lounge has an excellent introduction to GIS
The US Geological Survey explains GIS as well as it's general applications
Wikipedia has a nicely broad article on GIS.
ArcGIS is the software made by ESRI, which will be used in the workshop.