| Product Name: |
GEOSKILLS: An Introduction to Spatial Data |
| Level: |
a Year 12 class/ First Year Tertiary |
| Platform: |
Macintosh® / PC - Windows® |
| Supplied Information: |
GEOSKILLS: An Introduction to Spatial Data is a computer
aided learning package on CD that starts with learning about the size
and shape of the Earth and how we describe where we are. It continues through methods of representing data on maps to geographic information systems and remote sensing. The CD also includes a workbook (in Adobe
Acrobat format) with exercises for classroom use in addition to interactive exercises on the CD itself. |
| Possible Use: |
This product is suitable for a Year 12 class/ First Year Tertiary courses for use by students without supervision. |
| Price: |
$49.95 per CD $299 for a 25 seat site license and $500 for a 50 seat site license |
| Developer/s: |
Alan Jones and David Rose, The University of New England |
| Review: |
This is an excellent CD-ROM that clearly introduces concepts about how to
represent the earth, and spatial features upon it, through the use of maps
and computers. Its innovative animations are used with great skill to
drive home many difficult concepts. It also has a sprinkling of
calculations and exercises for students to be challenged by, although there
are never too many of these, and they never form an insurmountable barrier
to continued progress. Indeed, at all times the student can look ahead or
backwards on the CD-ROM and every lesson has several dots along the bottom of the screen to click on in order to see where one has got up to. All of this puts students firmly in control of their own learning.
After the introduction there are six sections, covering models of the
earth, data collection, plane cartography, three-dimensional cartography,
digital maps/GIS and remote sensing respectively. Within each section
there are about 4 or 5 lessons, and each lesson has around about 8
dots/computer screens. However, some of the latter have further screens
that are appended using a "continue" button, which appears at the bottom
right corner of the current screen with annoying unpredictability.
Perhaps the most innovative diagrams and animations are those that try to
explain how various map projections of the globe work, in section 1.
Considerable thought has obviously gone into such illustrations, although
for beginners, which presumably this CD-ROM is designed for, will still
find some projection concepts difficult to understand. This is not the
fault of the ROM; it is the fault of the complexity of the concepts.
Indeed, in only a few places are the authors guilty of too cryptic a style
of explanation. An example is when they seek to explain an early attempt
by a Greek philosopher, in 250 BC, to measure the size of the earth using
shadows cast by vertical poles at different latitudes. A diagram is
presented to illustrate his method, yet the simple trigonometry that he
used is left unexplained.
But this is but a minor blemish in a generally thorough example of
interactive learning. The ROM could certainly keep Geography students, in
the final year of high school or in the first year of university,busy and
interested for one year and one semester respectively - provided they have
a teacher to stimulate and maintain their curiosity. The latter is
essential if they are to work through the whole ROM. Again, this is more a
comment on the nature of adolescent students rather than the fault of the
CD-ROM. The latter's innovative way of presenting material is sometimes
remarkable.
|
|
Ray Wyatt, The University of Melbourne |
| |
| Supplier: |
New Horizons
PO Box 658
Armidale NSW 2350 |
|
http://www.nh.com.au/ |
|
phone: (067) 711 055 |
|
fax: (067) 711 050 |
| Date Record Last Modified: |
18/8/2000 |
