Facilitating spatial thinking in world geography using Web-based GIS

Advocates for geographic information system (GIS) education contend that learning about GIS promotes students’ spatial thinking. Empirical studies are still needed to elucidate the potential of GIS as an instructional tool to support spatial thinking in other geography courses. Using a non-equivalent control group research design, this study examines the effect of using Web-based GIS in a world geography course on the development of students’ spatial thinking abilities. The findings indicate that Web-based GIS activities implemented in this study significantly enhanced students’ spatial thinking skills.     

The future role of GIS education in creating critical spatial thinkers

Teaching of critical spatial thinking in higher education empowers graduates to effectively engage with spatial data. Geographic information systems (GIS) and science are taught to undergraduates across many disciplines; we evaluate how this contributes to critical spatial thinking. The discipline of GIS covers the whole process of spatial decision-making, but GIS modules often ignore the context setting of spatial problems, and just cover the technical aspects of how to use GIS software. We outline how some existing GIS practicals could be improved to focus on the development of critical spatial thinking skills, competences and abilities that are valuable to graduates.     

Developing trainee teacher practice with geographical information systems (GIS)

There is general agreement that geographical information systems (GIS) have a place within the geography classroom; they offer the potential to support geographical learning, exploring real-world problems through student-centred learning, and developing spatial thinking. Despite this, teachers often avoid engaging with GIS and research suggests that the lack of GIS training in initial teacher education is partially to blame. In response to this, this article explores how 16 trainee geography teachers were supported to develop their use of GIS across a one-year, postgraduate teacher training course in England. The project, an interpretive case study underpinned by a constructivist epistemology, used questionnaires and interviews to elicit trainees’ understandings of the nature of GIS, and to explore their engagement with it across their training year. Results suggest a programme of embedded training developed in trainees a more nuanced understanding of the value of GIS for supporting geographical learning and, thereby, increased self-efficacy towards and engagement with it in their teaching practice. However, not all trainees embraced GIS as a pedagogical tool and the study raised several key issues for geography teacher education, including the knowledge culture within schools in the teacher training partnership, and the importance of trainee self-efficacy towards GIS.     

Placing GIS in sustainability education

As public awareness about sustainability grows and as higher education advances sustainability more comprehensively, geographers have an opportunity to take a role in sustainability education. This article examines (1) what constitutes sustainability education, (2) how geographic concepts and Geographic Information System (GIS) are relevant to sustainability education, and (3) how geospatial thinking can be incorporated into the sustainability curriculum using GIS. This research proposes five geospatial inquiries that students can make to explore sustainability issues using GIS, which are spatial distribution, spatial interactions, spatial relationships, spatial comparisons, and temporal relationships. Definition, examples, and uses of these five geospatial inquiries supported by GIS are provided.     

Critical spatial learning: participatory mapping,spatial histories,and youth civic engagement

As digital technologies become ubiquitous in many places, scholars of civic engagement, youth and political life, and geographic education have explored the potential of teaching critical and spatial thinking through digital technologies. This paper examines interactive digital mapping as a technology environment for teaching and practicing critical spatial thinking, in relation to civic engagement. From this participatory and dialogic mapping project with teenage girls in Seattle, Washington, we develop a conceptualization of critical spatial thinking that emphasizes how social and spatial processes intertwine to generate societal inequalities and show how this learning informs students’ social and spatial civic responses. We show how interactive digital mapping pedagogies offer students an opportunity to develop awareness of what happens in their urban geographies, but also how and what they might do to intervene.     

Doing Independent Overseas Fieldwork 2: Getting Funding

The development and testing of a Web‐based GIS e‐learning resource is described. This focuses on the application of GIS for siting a nuclear waste disposal facility and the associated principles of spatial decision‐making using Boolean and weighted overlay methods. Initial student experiences in using the system are analysed as part of a research project on teaching GIS concepts to large numbers of students with little or no prior GIS experience. Some general thoughts on the utility of Web‐based GIS for learning and teaching are presented. Results from the first cohort of 167 undergraduate/postgraduate geography students using the system indicate that students find it easy to use, a useful aid to learning about the issues involved, and a thought‐provoking exercise in Internet‐based democracy.     

Geography in Higher Education in Australia

Within the last 30 years, geographical information systems (GIS) have been used increasingly in the training of geographers. On the basis of the philosophy of technology and instrumental genesis, we sketch how the use of instruments interacts with learning processes and outline how this can be studied. We empirically analyse students' learning processes and the influences of teaching practice in an introductory course in GIS. We show that students have different strategies for creating their personal instrument for spatial thinking and how teaching interacts with the students' learning processes. Finally, we discuss how GIS may gradually alter future professional development of geographers.     

基于GIS的农村医疗设施空间可达性分析——以河南省兰考县为例

针对农村医疗设施空间分布的公平性问题,提出了使用GIS技术和空间可达性指标评估医疗设施的区域分布特征。以兰考县乡级以上卫生院为例,建立人口分布、医疗设施位置、行政区域等地理数据库,选择人均医疗资源分配、就医的最近距离、选择医院的机会、重力模型及改进的重力模型5个空间可达性模型,计算了各乡镇、各行政村的医疗设施可达性指标,并制作了相应的专题地图;在此基础上对医疗设施的空间布局进行了分析。空间可达性指标全面地反映医疗设施的空间分布特征,鉴别出资源分配较薄弱的区位,是农村医疗改革中设施规划和资源分配的重要依据。     

Refining the definition of cultural levels at Karabi Tamchin: a quantitative approach to vertical intra-site spatial analysis

The visual identification of archaeological levels can be difficult when stratigraphy is complex. This study emphasizes the importance of three-dimensional intra-site spatial analysis as a means of testing the integrity of archaeological levels, including the identification of palimpsest deposits. A geographical information system (GIS) is applied to a three-dimensional spatial analysis of lithic and bone distributions from Karabi Tamchin, a Middle Palaeolithic site from the Crimea, Ukraine. K-means statistical clustering is combined with a series of data transformations to identify and interpret the vertical and horizontal spatial organization of the site. The results indicate that K-means cluster analysis, used in conjunction with GIS, provides an exceptional method of identifying discrete clusters of archaeological materials in three dimensions. Through an analysis of cluster contents within levels, it is possible to reconstruct and compare patterns of spatial organization at Karabi Tamchin, contributing to current debates regarding the cognitive complexity of Neanderthal populations.     

Geographic information system‐based edge effect correction for Ripley's K‐function under irregular boundaries

Ripley's K‐function is a test to detect geographically distributed patterns occurring across spatial scales. Initially, it assumed infinitely continuous planar space, but in reality, any geographic distribution occurs in a bounded region. Hence, the edge problem must be solved in the application of Ripley's K‐function. Traditionally, three basic edge correction methods were designed for regular study plots because of simplified geometric computation: the Ripley circumference, buffer zone, and toroidal methods. For an irregular‐shaped study region, a geographic information system (GIS) is needed to support geometric calculation of complex shapes. The Ripley circumference method was originally implemented by Haase and has been modified into a Python program in a GIS environment via Monte Carlo simulation (hereafter, the Ripley–Haase and Ripley–GIS methods). The results show that in terms of the statistical powers of clustering detection for irregular boundaries, the Ripley–GIS method is the most stable, followed by the buffer zone, toroidal, and Ripley–Haase methods. After edge effects of irregular boundaries have been eliminated, Ripley's K‐function is used to estimate the degree of spatial clustering of cities in a given territory, and in this paper, we demonstrate that by reference to the relationship between urban spatial structure and economic growth in China.     

空间错位理论研究进展与方法论评述

空间错位理论是西方城市地理和城市规划研究的重要理论基础之一,自上世纪60年代提出以来引发了大量关注弱势群体居住和就业空间机会的实证研究。近年来中国城市快速空间重构背景下的职住分离现象也引起学者关注。本文首先回顾了空间错位假设的提出背景、基本假设和主要实证研究结论,重点评述了近年来美国空间错位实证研究的方法论进展及主要挑战,在此基础上探讨了空间错位理论对转型期中国城市空间重构研究的借鉴意义。     

广东区域可达性综合探测及空间分异特征研究

本文以广东省陆路交通网络为对象,综合利用可达性度量模型对广东省区域可达性进行测算和空间特征分析,并进一步实现广东省省域的等级分区。结果表明,广东区域日可达性和时间可达性呈现出同心圆分布特征,并具有明显交通网络指向性;但在空间、交通网络结构和社会经济等因素的综合影响下,潜力可达性表现出多中心圈层的空间分异特征。研究揭示了广东省区域可达性的空间格局及分异规律,探讨了地理区位和城市发展在可达性空间分异中作用,从而为广东产业布局优化、土地集约化利用以及区域协调发展提供科学参考。     

Recent Directions and Developments in Geographical Information Systems

Geographical information systems (GIS) are tools for handling and processing spatially referenced information that have permeated all facets of archaeology, frequently revolutionizing research by allowing easy access to vast amounts of information, new ways of data visualization that promote insight through pattern recognition, and unique methodologies that allow entirely new approaches to the study of the past. This comprehensive review examines and critiques recent advances achieved through GIS in regional and within-site databases, locational analysis and modeling, regional simulation, studies of landscape perception through intervisibility analysis, and models of spatial allocation, territoriality, and site access. The future prospects of GIS are enormous with the growth of the Internet, the resultant linking of databases, expected enhancements in satellite remote sensing, and the increasing pervasiveness of global positioning systems for spatial data capture. If there is a persistent theme that emerges from the chronicles of contemporary scientific cartography, it is that the creation of a map almost inevitably leads to unexpected revelations. — Hall, Mapping the Next Millenium: How Computer-Driven Cartography Is Revolutionizing the Face of Science     

GIS在时间地理学中的应用初探

时间地理学是一种富有应用前景的面向微观人文现象的研究方法,但相对落后的研究手段迟滞了它的发展。通过考察时间地理学的研究对象、研究方法及其理论基础,结合时态地理信息系统近年来在时空表达与分析方面的进展,本文详细阐述了地理信息系统技术在时间地理学中的应用思路,并认为两者的结合将促使时间地理学在数据处理、时空分析、结果表达与深化等方面得到进一步的发展。     

Enhancing critical thinking skills in first year environmental management students: a tale of curriculum design,application and reflection

This paper chronicles the experience of academic staff in developing a course to enhance the critical thinking skills of environmental management undergraduates. We outline our considerations and process for course development, discuss insights from course evaluations, and reflect on the challenges encountered. We believe these perspectives will be useful for others who are developing critical thinking skills curricula, especially first year courses. Aspects of the course design which were considered particularly effective were the use of scaffolded assessment, the application of threshold concepts, and well-structured collaborative learning activities paired with quality tutors. The key learning for the authors from the evaluation of the course was that while the tools and strategies developed were very useful, interweaving these tools into year 2 and 3 courses would help students see the ongoing value of critical thinking in their work.     

Using GIS in an Earth Sciences field course for quantitative exploration,data management and digital mapping

Field courses are essential for subjects like Earth Sciences, Geography and Ecology. In these topics, GIS is used to manage and analyse spatial data, and offers quantitative methods that are beneficial for fieldwork. This paper presents changes made to a first-year Earth Sciences field course in the French Alps, where new GIS methods were introduced. Students use GIS in preparation to explore their research area using an elevation model and satellite images, formulate hypotheses and plan the fieldwork. During the fieldwork, a pilot group managed their field-observations using GIS and made digital maps. Students praise the use of quantitative digital maps in the preparation. Students made use of the available techniques during the fieldwork, although this could be further intensified. Some students were extra motivated due to the technical nature as well as the additional analytical possibilities. The use of GIS was experienced as a steep learning curve by students, and not all staff members are confident in supervising students using GIS, which calls for a sufficient preparation and training of both students and staff. The use of GIS adds abstract analyses and quantitative assessment, which is a complementary learning style to fieldwork that mostly focuses on practical skills.     

旅游城镇化空间过程及其动力机制研究——重庆市黄水镇案例实证

以重庆市黄水镇为案例，以GIS空间分析方法为基础，研究2004年以来黄水镇旅游城镇化空间过程，并揭示其动力机制。主要结论如下：①黄水镇旅游城镇化空间过程经历了传统社区的旅游化功能提升、第二居所为主导的度假功能扩展以及各种休闲组团的综合功能配套三个阶段。②土地利用转移的主要方向是住宅用地尤其是第二居所用地。旅游商服用地也加速增长，传统商服用地也有所扩展，在空间上传统商服用地主要沿老街分布，旅游商服用地沿新街集聚。③旅游城镇化实质上是游客、政府、社区居民、旅游企业等不同利益主体之间反复博弈的结果。研究也发现，以黄水镇为代表的小城镇旅游城镇化是一种以"就地就近"城镇化为基础，实现"自发自觉"文化保护与传承，通过建立"共建共享"多主体共治体系，形成"外向型"旅游服务业主导的理想化模式。     

THE IMPACT OF CRIME ON APARTMENT PRICES: EVIDENCE FROM STOCKHOLM,SWEDEN

This study uses data of about 9,000 apartment sales in Stockholm, Sweden, to assess the impact of crime on property prices. The study employs hedonic pricing modelling to estimate the impact of crime controlling for other factors (property and neighbourhood characteristics). Geographic Information System (GIS) is used to combine apartment sales by coordinates with offences, land use characteristics and demographic data of the population. The novelty of this research is threefold. First, it explores a set of land use attributes created by spatial techniques in GIS in combination with detailed geographical data in hedonic pricing modelling. Second, the effect of crime in neighbouring zones at one place can be measured by incorporating spatial lagged variables of offence rates into the model. Third, the study provides evidence of the impact of crime on housing prices in a capital city of a traditional welfare state, information otherwise lacking in the international literature. Our results indicate that apartment prices in a specific area are strongly affected by crime in its neighbouring zones, regardless of crime type. When offences were broken down by types, residential burglary, theft, vandalism, assault and robbery individually had a significant negative effect on property values. However, for residential burglary such an effect is not homogenous across space, and apartment prices in central areas are often less discounted by being exposed to crime than those in the city's outskirts.     

Undertaking a Dissertation from Start to Finish: The Process and Product

Advocates for using a geographic information system (GIS) in education assert that GIS improves student learning. However, studies to clarify the relationship between learning and using GIS are still needed. This study examines the effects of using Web-based GIS maps in place of paper maps on students' geography content knowledge and motivation (self-efficacy) when taking college-level introductory human geography (N = 171). Hierarchical regression analysis shows that using Web-based GIS is positively related to post-test self-efficacy and post-test geography content knowledge.     

西安新城市贫困空间固化及其治理研究——基于空间正义视角

新城市贫困空间固化及其治理研究,对破解城市发展不平衡不充分,促进城市社会公平公正具有重要理论和现实意义。基于西安市街道尺度问卷调查数据,采用贫困综合指数和构建空间固贫指数,在GIS技术支持下,对西安新城市贫困空间时空演化和固化趋势进行研究,并以空间正义为视角,提出西安新城市贫困空间固化治理方案。结果表明：①研究期内,西安新城市贫困程度不断减轻,贫困空间分布异质性明显,贫困空间演化整体上由放射状嵌套分布向圈层分布转变;②西安新城市贫困空间固化正在形成,空间固贫指数较高街道集中在内城衰退区,城市边缘失地农民聚居区、流动人口聚居区和遗址保护区;③西安新城市贫困空间固化治理要以空间正义思想为指引,在弘扬价值正义、制度正义和政策正义基础上,构建空间正义“起点-过程-结果”三位一体保障体系,确保城市空间生产公平公正。