Use to develop Spatial Literacy in our learners
Raising a new generation of environmentally responsible citizens and having a general population that is mindful of global issues is becoming increasingly important in our society. As educators we need to be developing the spatial literacy skills of our learners so that they understand how the issues of place affect the decisions we make in life.
In addition, spatial literacy is a cognitive factor that has been linked to high performance in science and maths and is integral to the studies of geography, earth and environmental sciences. Spatial literacy is a skill that should be taught informally in primary school and then more formally at secondary and tertiary level.
But how can we achieve this through school and university education?
One way is to bring GIS into the classrooms and curriculum. GIS has significant but as yet unrealised potential for supporting spatial thinking across a range of subjects in the curriculum. GIS is already part of the Grade 10 to 12 curriculum but is still struggling to get into the actual classroom for a variety of reasons.
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Integrate the left and right side of the brain through technologically enhanced learning
Traditional rote-learning methods have developed the linear, written, organisational, left side of the brain whilst the three-dimensional, arty, innovative right-hand side has not always been targeted.
South Africa’s Outcomes Based Education policy seeks to redress this imbalance. Research has indicated that while the goals of OBE are not in dispute, the mechanisms of achieving deep, cognitive learning are often the stumbling block. The integrated, spatial nature of Geomatica’s learning material provides a single mechanism that actively engages both sides of the brain. In short, Geomatica is a one-stop tool to achieve deep, cognitive learning.
Geomatica is:
- Ideal for project-based study, making it the ideal tool for OBE.
- Easy-to-use and versatile. Educators are trained to develop their own projects and can co-ordinate cross-curricular challenges.
- A cross-curricular resource that facilitates a wide range of opportunities for developing teamwork skills, communication, organisation, planning, research and critical thinking.
- Locally relevant thus encouraging the user to take personal and practical interest in their community.
- A computer software package. Users are able to improve their technological skills and thus bridge the digital divide.
- A South African product, developed by a South African company working in close consultation with educators and academics.
- Modular and regularly updated.
Geomatica allows educators and learners to work with local data and imagery to determine the solutions to specific task-oriented questions, and combines an easy-to-use, step-by-step interface packed with guidance, help with a powerful GIS toolset that permits easy viewing and manipulation of the data and images. Through Geomatica, students can learn the value of exploration, wonderments and questioning.
There is a clearly defined need for tools to enable educators to develop project-based learning materials that support Outcomes Based Education. At the same time, there is a pressing need for additional exposure of educators and learners to information technology.
Geomatica uses South African and international data - but more importantly, data that is local and relevant to the learners. With the initial subscription, schools receive imagery and data about their own school complex.
Geomatica is not simply a commercial product used in an educational context; it has been designed from the bottom up to effectively provide a multi-disciplinary approach to learning.
Sample datasets and screen shots
Statistical data
Local Area Data
Such as satellite images, toposheets etc
Last updated: 11th Feb 2010 |
