Expanding the Presence of Geographic Techniques in the Geography Undergraduate Curriculum at Illinois State University

做地理的工具正在发生巨大的变化，但对良好的，严谨的地理思维的需求是不变的。 学生的准备水平不同，地理诊断考试揭示的差距是改变技术课程的动机。 地理技术，新的基础课程，是这种新方法的重点。 目标是介绍基本概念和技能，学生通过程序移动。 这个目标不是看能教给学生多少技术，而是建立一个功能基础。 新的计算机实验室是实现新的入门课程目标的主要工具，也是后续技术课程的重要工具。 打算主修地理的大二和大三学生在完成至少三门地理入门课程后被定向到地理技术。 本课程是本系所有传统工艺课程的必修课。 当学生完成这门课程，他们应该是舒适的计算机实验室工作;能够使用电子邮件和移动互联网;有地理技术的词汇的开端;有一个综合接触到地理中使用的各种技术的内容;了解地理数据的性质，以及如何获得这些数据的本地问题或全球问题;并具有使用文字处理程序、电子表格和Idrisi GIS软件包的经验。 建立这个基础的影响可以在所有后续的技术课程中实现，以及在学生进入实习并最终进入工作场所或进入研究生院时的准备中实现。

The tools of doing geography are changing dramatically, but the need for good, rigorous geographical thinking is a constant. Varying levels of preparation among students and the gaps revealed by the geographic diagnostic exam are the motivation for changing the techniques courses. Geographic Techniques, the new foundations course, is the focus of this new approach. The objective is to introduce basic concepts and skills as students move through the program. This goal is not to see how many techniques can be taught to students but to build a functional base. The new computer-based laboratory is a major instrument in achieving the goals of the new introductory course as well as an important instrument in the following techniques courses. Sophomores and juniors intending to major in geography are directed to Geographic Techniques after having completed a minimum of three introductory geography courses. This course is the prerequisite for all of the traditional techniques courses in the department. As students complete this course they should be comfortable working in the computer lab; able to use e-mail and move about the Internet; have the beginnings of the vocabulary of geographic techniques; have an integrated exposure to content of the various techniques used in geography; be aware of the nature of geographic data and how to get such data for local questions or global questions; and have some experience in using a word processor, spreadsheet, and the Idrisi GIS package. The impact of building this foundation can be realized in all subsequent techniques courses as well as in the preparation of the students as they move into their internship and ultimately into the work place or on to graduate school.