Addressing challenges toeffective learning

in the GIS classroom

Elizabeth TulanowskiGIS Instructor

Front Range Community College –Boulder County Campus

Who I amElizabeth Tulanowski,

Elizabeth.tulanowski@frontrange.edu

• Currently GIS Instructor at Front Range Community College, since 2012

and Education Coordinator for the CSU Geospatial Centroid

• Previously GIS software instructor for ESRI, 2002-2010

• Previously GIS research assistant and teaching assistant at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 1997-2002

Observations•Diversity of interests and academic backgrounds• Familiarity with computers• Learning styles•GIS Skill level• Time constraints due to family, jobs, location/distance from campus• Student ambition

Discuss each challenge and our means to overcome it

•Discussion is welcome, from both educators and students in the audience.

Diversity of interests and academic backgrounds• Teaching GIS to a group from the same organization or industry vs. Teaching GIS to a group with a dozen different interests

Archaeology

Forestry

Geology

PublicHealt

h

Wildlife

Military

Oil & Gas

? ? ?

Curriculum for

the SemesterEnvironmenta

lScience

Public Safety

Overcoming: Diversity of interests and academic backgrounds•Use examples that anyone would be familiar with• Ie, City/Municipal data: Streets, Boundaries, Cities

• Learn the interests of the students• Keep industry-specific examples and data on hand to

use as needed• Provide parallel exercises with different subject matter• Students perform the same tasks on data that suits

their own interest• Seek out and encourage supplemental reading• Online articles, blogs, or news items

Familiarity with computers• Some students are not very tech savvy•Often able to understand all the GIS concepts but have trouble handling the data, files, and software. •Data management skills

Overcoming: Familiarity with computers• “Lab 0”• Computer skills workshop, outside of class time• Course prerequisite of having basic computer skills

Learning styles• People learn differently. • Some people need to hear a lecture and write down information. • Auditory Learner

• Some people need to watch it demoed. • Visual Learner

• Some people need to do it themselves in the software.• Kinesthetic Learner

Overcoming: Learning styles• Lectures should be interactive and allow the students a chance to:

1. Hear about the GIS concept being taught2. See some examples of the GIS concept in action3. Follow-along on the software to become familiar

with the concept on their own computer4. Work with other students to problem-solve5. Work independently to explore the concept more

deeply• Weekly lab exercises and final project• Provide a variety of exercise types

Overcoming: Learning styles• Class format

• Shorter sections might be better, but regrouping the class can be difficult.

Typical Class Session15 minutes

Class announcements, recap/review last lesson

45 min – 1hr

Lecture with demos - Part 1

5-10 min Break1 hr Work on lab exercise30-45 min Regroup for Lecture - Part 21 hr Work on Lab exercise

Elements of Effective Learning•Motivation •Reinforcement •Retention • Transference

Source: Comp TIA C++ Training

Steps for a Successful Lesson• Step 1: Link-in• Step 2: Title• Step 3: Learning objectives• Learner-centered• Measurable• Attainable• Relevant

• Step 4: Agenda (optional)• Step 5: Establish motivation• WIIFM – What is in it for

me?

• Step 6: Information transfer/content• Variety is key!• Media• Methods• Questions

• Step 7: Application/exercise• Step 8: Test for understanding• Instructor needs to “zip-

it”!• Step 9: Wrap-up• Step 10: Link-outSource: Comp TIA C++ Training

GIS Skill Level•Wide range of abilities in one class• Some people will get it right away, others need more

time. •Must cover all the material in 16 weeks

Overcoming: GIS Skill Level•Offer extra learning opportunities • Provide ideas for small projects they can do on their

own• Optional exercises on the labs. Give them the chance

to learn as much as they can during the semester. •Offer opportunities for them to work on assignments• Open Lab time• Installing the software at home• Recording lectures• Tutoring services• Making yourself available in office hours or by email• Connecting students with each other, or alums

Student lifestyle, location• Time constraints due to family, jobs, location/distance from campus. • Many students cannot come to campus outside of

regular class time to work on assignments or attend events.• Missing class due to family or work obligations• Trouble getting to class because of a long commute

Community College Demographics

*Sources: American Association of Community Colleges + CU/CSU websites

Student Stats*

Community College

CU/CSU

% Full time 38 94% Part time 62 6Average age 28 20

Age %Average 28Median 24<= 21 37%22-39 49%40+ 14%

Front Range Community College

•GIS Certificate Program• Boulder County Campus

only• Limited GIS classes at

other campuses and other community colleges in the region• Long commute for some

students

Overcoming: Student lifestyle, location• Esri site license at FRCC-BCC entitles each student to a copy of the software so they can work at home. •Use of FOSS4G, such as QGIS•More online course options• Comes with its own issues• Hybrid courses

•Use of remote meeting options to hold webinars or broadcast live seminars.•Understanding and flexibility

Questions? Comments? Discussion welcome!• Thank you for attending• Feel free to contact me with questions or to discuss topics further:

Elizabeth.Tulanowski@frontrange.edu