Interdisciplinary Access to Geographic Information Science: Peer Teaching in Higher Education

Access to geospatial knowledge in higher education requires broad inclusion of spatial concepts in courses across multiple disciplines. Geospatial competency is required to meet the needs of a rapidly globalized world and is a vital component of modern science education. Geospatial education provides students with proficiency interpreting quantitative and qualitative information and exposes students to technical concepts such as spatial analytics and data management. Despite these numerous benefits, incorporating geospatial concepts and hands-on geographic information systems (GIS) experiences within course curriculum can be a challenge for educators. Proprietary software and lengthy lab exercises are difficult to integrate within a course schedule. The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded a three-year, $609,739 grant (#1700568) to the University of North Georgia "Applying Geospatial and Engineering Technology (AGET)" project. One AGET objective supported inclusion of geospatial activities within a variety of interdisciplinary higher education courses. To generate a set of open education resources (OER), our team implemented peer teaching strategies and customized GIS exercises for subject areas such as Environmental Science, Human Geography, and Physical Geography. Student leaders facilitated GIS exercises within courses through peer teaching and encouraged non-science majors to thoughtfully engage with spatial concepts. Exercises include exploration of local land cover change, coastal erosion, environmental justice, and climate change impacts. To encourage future use, exercises utilize a combination of desktop software and web-based interactive maps. Short, modular lab design provides flexibility and allows faculty to select activities to meet educational objectives. Educational materials are provided online to support easy adoption and reuse. Geospatial analysis is relevant in numerous fast-growing job sectors and has potential to address many of todays global challenges. Geospatial educators must facilitate access to spatial knowledge and skills across disciplines.