Trinity University LibGuides - Trinity University HP Grant Public Project Webpage

Project Details

Project Name: Mobile Mapping of Field Data

Trinity University
San Antonio, TX, 78212, USA

Quick Facts:

Number of Students impacted to date: Biology Students ca. 200
Number of Faculty involved: 5
Cohort: 2008
Keywords: Biology, Field Sciences, GIS, Spatial Inquiry

Project Abstract & Goals

We are using HP mobile technology to integrate mobile mapping techniques and in situ analysis of scientific information. Students will collect and analyze data in real-time, share new findings with classmates, and compare new and historical data in the field. Our goal is to have students develop richer mental models of the method of scientific inquiry in the area of spatial analysis.

Principal Investigator (PI): David Ribble dribble@trinity.edu

Other faculty: Kevin Livingstone, Jeremy Donald, Gabriela Rennebeck, Ben Surpless, James Shinkle

Impact on Student Learning:

Currently our students approach technology as tools to complete tasks assigned by the instructor. Through a series of courses, we hope our students will better adopt a stance and practice of scientific inquiry, using technology adaptively to generate original questions and to explore methodologies, datasets, understandings, and applications across disciplines (e.g. biology, chemistry, and geology).

Previously students produced maps that included only what instructors expected them to add. We began using the HP Tablet’s in earnest this spring in our courses, which provided valuable point-of-need capability and initial field testing. In the future, we hope that students will benefit from their work with tablet PCs by developing richer mental models of the method of scientific inquiry—particularly in the area of spatial analysis--through enhanced usability (e.g., more seamless data gathering/data analysis, visualization of new and existing data, built-in learning tools and reference materials), and will consequently generate maps that are more information rich and show integration across disciplines. We hope they will also be more adept at using technology to access and incorporate relevant literature, course content, and documentation at the time of need.

In one course, Ecology, Ribble graded the spatial context of a cemetery map that was used to analyze demographic patterns of death. In the future he plans to continue to develop the exercise and the rubric analysis to assess student learning. Ribble also conducted a class evaluation of students and their attitudes towards the tablets. All students agreed the tablets helped them understand GIS principles better in the field.

Impact on Teaching:

In addition to the field GIS work, Livingstone used the tablets to introduce his students to genetic analysis. Ribble also used the tablets in classroom with the Classroom Presenter software to introduce ecological modeling. Previously he had simply lectured students, but the tablets allowed him to lead the students through inquiry into a better understanding of mathematical modeling. Mastering the technology has forced us to understand the underlying principles of spatial analysis in a better way.

Technology Integration:

Students and faculty were fully supported in using the HP Tablets and software (e.g. ArcView) by 2 instructional technologists from the University’s Library and The Center for Learning & Technology. These technologists worked with us and we are planning future workshops to facilitate use of the Tablet PC’s both in the field and in the classrooms. The University holds an ArcGIS site license, and provides full access to GIS software, training and curricular development consultation, and technical assistance to the campus community.

Please see the tabs above for more information about two assignments that made use of the HP Tablet PCs: