GeoSim: A GIS-Based Simulation Laboratory for Introductory Geography

GeoSim项目是一项多学科的努力，涉及地理和计算机科学系、教育学院和弗吉尼亚理工大学学习资源中心的成员，以开发用于地理入门教学的计算机辅助教育(CAE)软件。GeoSim项目将结合地理信息系统(GIS)和模拟的巨大能力。我们的CAE材料将被广泛的学生使用，特别是针对入门本科生。因此，地理学最令人兴奋的方面被提供给最广泛的受众，并以一种强调动态过程而不是静态信息的方式。最初，我们将提供一系列适用于几乎所有地理入门课程的两个计算机化实验室单元。这些模块必须满足几个标准，如高度交互，适合计算机新手，适当时结合地理信息系统和模拟，并能够在各种中等价位的设备上运行。

Project GeoSim is a multidisciplinary effort involving members of the Departments of Geography and Computer Science, College of Education, and Learning Resources Center at Virginia Tech to develop Computer-Aided Education (CAE) software for the teaching of introductory geography. Project GeoSim will incorporate the immense capabilities of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and simulation. Our CAE materials will be usable by a wide range of students, focusing in particular on introductory undergraduate students. Thus, the most exciting aspects of geography are made available to the widest audience, and in a manner that stresses dynamic processes over static information. Initially we will provide a series of two computerized laboratory modules applicable to virtually all introductory geography courses. These modules must meet several criteria such as being highly interactive, appropriate for computer novices, incorporating a GIS and simulation when appropriate, and able to run on a wide range of moderately priced equipment.