Digital Earth: Spatial Analysis introduces and develops the fundamental geographical skills of data collection, analysis and presentation and the solving of spatial problems using GIS. It concerns data types, representations of reality and key spatial analysis techniques. GIS-based skills are important employability skills for geography and environment students with many course-relevant employers requiring a working knowledge of GIS and the application of GIS to solve real world geographical and environmental challenges. Digital literacy employability skills will be introduced and developed in this module and the module will provide a baseline for students taking GG5155 Cartography, Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis at Level 5 and GG6140 GIS: Transforming Geography and Environment at Level 6.
The module will comprise lectures and practical sessions together with directed reading. Lectures will be used to identify and introduce key topics, which will be developed through use of guided reading to prepare students for the practical sessions.
The practical sessions will cover the methods used to transform and query spatial data in order to solve real-world problems. The practicals will increase in sophistication throughout the year and incorporate skills learned in lectures and prior practicals.
Employability skills will be embedded within the teaching and learning strategy of this module and will include specific skills such as digital literacy and developmental skills such as teamwork and problem-solving (eg. through discussion and debate) and oral, written and graphical communication skills (including cartography).
Canvas VLE will be used to support all aspects of learning and teaching, providing a platform for articulating the module syllabus, assessment and feedback, archiving module-related resources (eg. specific reading materials) and a digital discussion platform.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | Lectures Lab Practicals | 23 66 |
| Guided independent study | 211 | |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
Summative assessment consists of:
(A) Portfolio of Arc-GIS maps (30%). The portfolio consists of three equally weighted maps (10% each) that incrementally develop students' learning of map production using Arc-GIS.
(B) Web mapping project (35%).
(C) Analytical assignment (35%).
Formative assessment will include short in-class tests that will assess the students' ability to recall key information concerning the theoretical underpinnings of geographical information systems, and short duration interactive in-class activities that explore theoretical and practical topics covering the topics presented in lectures and practicals. Rapid, automatic, feedback will highlight areas of strength and weakness, directing the student to areas where greater emphasis is needed. Tutors will provide regular guidance how to develop student's strengths and to improve performance to overcome weaknesses. Assessments will reflect real world applications of GIS and students will reflect on their acquired employability skills through their feedback received.
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| 1) Understand basic techniques of data acquisition, analysis, interpretation and presentation. | In class formative assessment informing (A) Portfolio of ArcGIS maps and (C) Web Mapping Assignment. |
| 2) Explain the different data structures used to represent geographical information in digital data sets. | In-class formative assessments. |
| 3) Identify the appropriateness of digital datasets and GIS techniques for particular tasks. | (A) Portfolio of ArcGIS maps, (B) Web Mapping Assignment and (C) Analytical Assignment informed by in-class formative assignments. |
| 4) Apply a range of GIS (spatial) analytical techniques and understand their use and their employability application. | In-class formative assessment supporting the (A) Portfolio of ArcGIS maps and (C) Analytical Assignment. |
| 5) Apply the technology of GIS to solve geospatial problems and communicate the results of analysis. | (A) Portfolio of ArcGIS maps and (C) Analytical Assignment informed by in-class formative assignments. |
| 6) Understand the errors and limitations inherent in analyses. | In class formative assessment supporting the (A) Portfolio of ArcGIS maps, (B) Web Mapping Assignment and (C) Analytical Assignment. |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Portfolio of ArcGIS maps | Coursework | 30% |
| Web mapping project | Coursework | 35% |
| Analytical assignment | Coursework | 35% |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS NOT a requirement that any major element of assessment is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
Longley PA, Goodchild MF, Maguire DJ, and Rhind DW (2015) Geographic Information Science and Systems. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.
Walford, NS (2011) Practical Statistics for Geographers and Earth Scientists. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.
Chrisman, N. (1997) Exploring Geographic Information Systems. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
DeMers MN (2008) Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems.(4th ed). Chichester: John Wiley and Sons.
Heywood I, Cornelius S, and Carver S (2006) An introduction to Geographical Information Systems. (3rd edition), Prentice Hall, New York.
Lo, C P and Yeung, A (2007) Concepts and Techniques of Geographic Information Systems (2nd edition). Prentice Hall, New Jersey.
Rogerson P (2001) Statistical Methods for Geography. Sage, London.
Walford N (2002) Geographical Data: Characteristics and Sources. Wiley, Chichester.