Collaborative Learning and Critical Thinking in a GeographicInformation System Laboratory for Undergraduate Education

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9450934 Nyerges New pedagogy indicates that undergraduate education in geography, including geographic information systems (GIS) education, should foster group-based active learning and individual critical thinking, while at the same time treat substantive topics of geographical concern. A GIS provides an effective means for capturing, managing, analyzing and displaying large, complex geographical data sets for various applications. This project, therefore, enhances the character of undergraduate GIS laboratory experience through the use of team work and geographic-based critical thinking skills for undergraduates in geography GIS courses. One introductory course, two intermediate and one advanced are emphasized. Implementation of this new pedagogy is accomplished by integrating commercially available GIS and group support system (GSS) software running on workstations linked by a local area network server. ArcView and Arc/Info GIS software also supports two levels of capabilities across a three-course sequence.