Taking the world for a spin: teaching spatial and data visualization with a digital globe

In the summer of 2016, the Earth Sciences & Map Library at the University of California, Berkeley, purchased a Magic Planet digital globe in a collaboration between the library and the departments of Geography and Earth & Planetary Science. This 30" diameter 3D display supplements and expands the library's instruction and outreach activities in GIS, data visualization and modeling. Faculty and graduate students were surveyed regarding their interest in using the globe for teaching and research projects. Based on this feedback, librarians developed a basic training plan for using the globe in the classroom, as well as an assessment tool to rate the effectiveness of instruction with the digital globe. Student and faculty responses at the end of fall semester (2016) will be evaluated for future plans to increase the variety of data sets and animations available to view on the globe. Curriculum and guides for visualizing custom and interactive data sets will be developed and made available based on current researcher and student interests. We are excited about partnering with our departments and engaging our students in the possibilities of 3d visualization, and look forward to sharing lessons learned.