This activity was selected for the On the Cutting Edge Exemplary Teaching Collection
Resources in this top level collection a) must have scored Exemplary or Very Good in all five review categories, and must also rate as “Exemplary” in at least three of the five categories. The five categories included in the peer review process are
- Scientific Accuracy
- Alignment of Learning Goals, Activities, and Assessments
- Pedagogic Effectiveness
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This activity has benefited from input from faculty educators beyond the author through a review and suggestion process. This review took place as a part of a faculty professional development workshop where groups of faculty reviewed each others' activities and offered feedback and ideas for improvements. To learn more about the process On the Cutting Edge uses for activity review, see http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/review.html.
This page first made public: Aug 17, 2010
Conservation Biology GIS lab exploration
Rose McKenney, Pacific Lutheran University
SummaryIntroductory exploration of GIS as a conservation biology tool
Type and level of course
This activity was designed as a one time use of GIS to support Conservation Biology (taught by another professor) a senior level elective biology course.
Geoscience background assumed in this assignment
None, but extensive ecology and resource management is expected.
GIS/remote sensing skills/background assumed in this assignment
Software required for this assignment/activity:
Time required for students to complete the assignment:
GIS/remote sensing techniques students learn in this assignment
Explore GIS as a tool to answer management questions/address management issues.
Other content/concepts goals for this activity
Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity
Students are expected to apply critical management issues to assess what data and processes would be needed to answer a question of their choice.
Description of the activity/assignment
Determining whether students have met the goalsThe final question requires students to pose a management question, possible answer and data sets needed to support the posed question. The students discuss their management question with the professor, which allows the professor to explore their level of understanding of GIS as a management tool.
More information about assessment tools and techniques.
URLs and References
Download teaching materials and tips
- Activity Description/Assignment: Introductory GIS for Conservation Biology (Microsoft Word 48kB Aug10 10)
- Instructors Notes:
- Solution Set:
- Conservation Biology GIS data set (Zip Archive 22.9MB May27 10)