Illuminating spaces in the classroom with qualitative GIS

Bibliographic Data

ID11954115
AuthorsGeoffrey A Battista (0000-0003-4810-8830, McGill University, corresponding author), Kevin Manaugh (0000-0003-2975-030X, McGill University)
Year2017
Volume42
Issue1
Pages94-109
Publication date2017-06-13
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Geography in Higher Education (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0309-8265 • E-ISSN: 1466-1845
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/03098265.2017.1339267
OpenAlexW2626358372
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited47

As social and postmodern ontologies continue to shape our definition of space, undergraduate instructors have struggled to incorporate these paradigms in the geography classroom. Recent research suggests that practical applications using field work, qualitative research, and geographic information science can augment students’ understanding of these spatial ontologies. Qualitative GIS holds promise as a means to integrate these methods in geographic education, yet there are no signs to date that the methodology has transitioned from research to teaching. This paper details our attempt to incorporate qualitative GIS into an undergraduate urban field studies course in lieu of a strictly lab-based GIS assignment. We outline our approach before discussing students’ engagement with the assignment in greater depth. Drawing from field experiences and deliverables across four terms, we argue that teaching from a qualitative GIS framework can effectively communicate the fundamentals of modern spatial theory and geographic research methods to students as they investigate problems in the field. We also note recurring challenges to mixed-methods teaching for students unfamiliar with the new methods presented. We close by discussing avenues for instructors in different circumstances, e.g. personal skills sets and class characteristics, to consider qualitative GIS in their classrooms

Cartography · Class (philosophy · Field (mathematics · Geographic information system · Geography · Mathematics education · Pedagogy · Qualitative research · Social science · Sociology · Computer Science · Geographic Information Systems Studies · Geography Education and Pedagogy · Historical Geography and Geographical Thought · Psychology · Artificial Intelligence

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