Project Title:
The Interdisciplinary GPS Project
Project Director and Other Associated Faculty and Staff:
Paul Sando, Assistant Professor of Geography, Minnesota State University Moorhead, Contact: psando@mnstate.edu, Tel.: (218)477-2241
Karl Leonard, Asst. Prof. of Geology, MSU-Moorhead, Contact: leonardk@mnstate.edu Telephone: (218)477-2682
Project Design:
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a form of technology used in field study for precise navigation and location and data collection. This equipment is used in a variety of disciplines including geosciences, archeology, anthropology, etc. This equipment strengthens hand-on learning. The project will purchase GPS equipment and integrate it into courses in a variety of disciplines at MSUM.
Project Evaluation and Outcomes:
The project funded the purchase of 13 GPS units which has resulted in (1) development of sets of exercises in physical geography, geology, archaeology/anthropology, and Geographic Information Systems courses, (2) senior level students participated in development of course exercises as part of their senior seminar, (3) developed orientation projects to teach basic skills in using equipment. These GPS exercises were evaluated and revealed that they were a great success in the upper division GIS course with the students increasing use of the equipment in class research. The orientation to GPS equipment helped bridge the “technology gap” between teachers and students. Senior students were used to provide orientation for first year students.
Lessons Learned, Dissemination and Sustainability
It is the hope of the project managers that the usefulness of this technology will help provide hands-on learning and create a talented group of student GPS users. Two courses during summer, 2005 will use GPS equipment and there are three research projects using the technology. Dissemination will be done through articles and conference presentations
