How can you integrate GIS with other disciplines and domains in your teaching?

I think non 'geoscience' fields do not get enough exposure to the amazing tools available in GIS. A whole new world of potential spatial analysis lies out there under-developed. A lot of data gets captured with IoT sensors (with coordinates) that could be used. The 'geoscience' people get exposed to maps and GPS data even at university level, so it becomes easier for them to take the next step into using GIS to explore spatial patterns or mechanisms. I am guessing here - but how about reviewing human psychology & behavior factors based on how close people live to a clean versus a polluted river ? Or for political sciences on how people would likely vote based on how close they stay to noisy areas or has easy access to public transport ?

I work with archives, that are now starting to preserve digital born maps and GIS systems. And the point that convinces the historians and librarians is, that "Everything happened somewhere". Meaning that the map is the best common denominator to physical objects in space as well as to concepts like crime rate. After that I show them that using GIS tools, they can link their existing records and create a comprehensive map, that tells a story.

We need to first understand that GIS is a tool. Taking the example of COVID-19, a GIS dashboard was created by many countries to visualise the growing number of cases and their spatial distribution. This helped in communicating with the public, and professionals in other fields. It also helped policymakers make evidence-based decision on limited resource allocation e.g. vaccine distribution, quarantine hotpots etc. I think there are two main approaches to integrating GIS into other disciplines. The first is encouraging a multi-disciplinary approach where GIS expert work together with other professionals. The second is publicising the need for other professionals to learn the basic understanding of GIS so they can apply it in their fields.

In my experience with the IOM, I can share that through the use of Social Sciences tools it is possible to understand patterns in migration and understand the factors that generate it and provide humanitarian results, with data collection (primary and secondary information), using GIS analysis to understand time in mobility patterns, hot spots and vulnerable areas and using information visualization tools such as maps and reports to communicate the results, not only at the organizational level but also to the affected communities. In the end, the mixture of the two allows the construction of public policies and the improvement of operations in different contexts, in this specific case humanitarian context.

While it is important to see the value of large predictive models impact, we also must be careful in Social Science fields. No system can contain all the data. Results are always a researchers best guess given the data behind the system. For instance, even with all the data collected for weather; Temp, Humidity, Windspeed, etc. Why do meteorologist seem to get the weather constantly wrong? They get it wrong for the simple fact natural systems have imperfections. Like the weather, humanity has demographic data that can be categorized by race, income, family size, etc. This data is important but it can possibly capture the human experience.

GIS with Public health, geospatial analysis is critical to understand how you would allocate resources, a geographical burden of any disease can easily be analyzed and targeted measures can be put in place for that particular area. With GIS, you are able to analyze using heat maps for instance which can easily give you how wide spread the disease in any particular area. This is very useful tool in epidemiology.

GIS es fundamental en inventarios de los recursos minerales de un país. También en la determinación de recursos y reservas. Otra gran aplicación es en la creación de mapas para generar un moderno y efectivo Ordenamiento Territorial que nos ayude a enfrentar Desastres Naturales al parecer más abundantes por el Cambio Climático.

I would be perplexed on how to teach natural sciences and not using GIS maps or process at some point ? I think a lot of natural science people still just capture geoscience data and then not use and review that same data in depth for spatial trends or mechanisms. I see it as a huge opportunity to add more value to often expensive data.

Biology, ecology, geology – the natural world beckons us to explore its mysteries using GIS. Tracking migratory patterns, monitoring biodiversity, and analyzing geological formations, GIS helps scientists uncover nature's secrets. Mother Earth herself applauds this dynamic partnership! ????

I'd like to add an example on how to use GIS in this area. There are many but I'm just going to focus on one, wildfire. Wildfire. It can be the result of nature itself (we can add here climate change effects) as well as human intervention. The truth is that many countries are been affected by it. With GIS it is possible to identify its occurrence patterns and design interventions to minimize its impact. Addicionaly, it is possible to monitor in real-time its progress and alert potential communities to be affected to take appropriate measures. The use of these tools can have immeasurable positive impact on the ecosystems.

GIS adds a data perspective to social issues. It should be heralded as a tool used to achieve social objectives such as in equality, distribution of resources such as healthcare and education facilities. Earth Observation techniques such as time series analysis can give historians a superpower to time travel and visually and interactively understand events such as migration and changes in settlement patterns. The ability of GIS tools to chameleon into any context is unparalleled.

When studying history, GIS can help students understand the large scale structures within which people operated. The ability to quantify and visualize things like travel times between places or urban networks, for example, provides context that can shed light on the behaviors and experiences of people in societies that are otherwise alien and hard to grasp.

I recall some concept maps of how early humans migrated over continents historically. Linking that spatially to available resources such as water or food gathering opportunities ? Or more closer to home - expected behavior of how people will want to move/migrate spatially based on changing climate patterns or availability of water. This might pre-empt some potential congestion or conflict points on a map. (ST_Distance() in PostGIS ?) Or how farming behavior may change or how the banks (and insurers) supporting the farmers financially in these areas ? Ask a geoscientist to locate the high risk areas on a map and then ask the political scientist to predict how the nearby people/farmers will react ? Using ST_Buffer() around high risk areas ?

Irrespective of discipline geoinformatics can disseminate self-reliant information as well as contextual awareness of different kinds of facets that correlate with spatiotemporal and socio-economical trends of human civilization and also help to build our society very holistic and can interconnect with natural resources and human needs. It's very useful for making of variety of vibrant development models.

An overlooked component of geospatial data is the uncertainty. We often take points on a map as truth because they're presented without uncertainty measures. This includes uncertainty about the location of features and the data about what they represent. This provides many important case studies and future research directions

Determine which mathematical topics can be enhanced using GIS, such as coordinate geometry or spatial patterns. Choose user-friendly GIS tools, like QGIS or ArcGIS Online. Utilize real-world spatial data to ground mathematical concepts; for instance, using population densities to explore ratios. Incorporate hands-on GIS tasks in math lessons, like plotting equations on maps. Promote group projects blending math and GIS, like route optimization using algebra. Leverage online tutorials merging GIS and math. Gather feedback after lessons to refine integration. Encourage exploration of advanced tools or concepts. Highlight real-world applications, showcasing how math and GIS skills can be professionally combined.

I am particularly interested in GIS and computer science overlap. Spatial data processing/modelling and manipulation is a huge area where computer science become relevant. In today's world of AI and ML, students can leverage GIS in so many ways. Using geospatial dataset for training models can help integrate spatial variation across neighbourhood/regions/cities. This is particularly important as remotely sensed datasets continue to become openly available. Teachers need to approach students from the perspective of what they can gain by combining the knowledge of GIS with their coding abilities. Computer science students are better positioned to leverage their coding skills develop innovative GIS platforms that automate spatial analyses.

Teaching GIS to computer science introduces students to spatial data processing, visualization, and algorithm development. By integrating GIS with computer science, students can learn programming languages and tools for spatial analysis. For example, GIS can be used to develop web-based mapping applications and spatial algorithms. It enables the integration of spatial data with other data sources, such as remote sensing and social media data. GIS empowers computer scientists to solve spatial problems using computational techniques, contributing to advancements in spatial data management, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. The relationship works in reverse as well as by integrating ML and AI enhances spatial decision making.

Integrate GIS into computer science by focusing on algorithms for spatial data processing and analysis. Use platforms like QGIS or ArcGIS API for Python for hands-on programming tasks. Delve into topics like geospatial databases, data structures for spatial indexing, and machine learning with spatial data. Incorporate projects that challenge students to develop GIS applications or tools, optimizing search and retrieval in large spatial datasets. Highlight the importance of GIS in emerging tech areas like IoT, smart cities, and augmented reality.

GIS and computer science are like a dynamic duo. Think of GIS as the superhero's cape that enhances data visualization and geospatial algorithms. The result? Cutting-edge solutions for a digital world! ??????

Integrating GIS in more broadly into other educational topics promotes spatial thinking and interdisciplinary learning. In teaching GIS to students, educators can help them develop spatial skills that can be applied across various subjects. For example, GIS can be used to create interactive maps for history lessons, environmental studies, or community planning projects. It enables students to analyze and interpret spatial data, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. GIS empowers educators to engage students in hands-on learning experiences, encouraging them to explore the world through a spatial lens and develop a lifelong appreciation for spatial technologies.

El mundo de los SIG es multidisciplinario, es por esto que integrarlo con la educación es muy fácil y diverso, ya qué, el rol fundamental de los SIG es integrar información, ya sea relacionada con el territorio o información representada en un mapa, es por esto que dicha información será más fácil de ser observada y entendida a través de una representación gráfica de un mapa (el cuál es el producto final de un SIG).

Integrating GIS into education is like adding a splash of color to a black-and-white canvas. It transforms classrooms into dynamic spaces where students explore geography, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Learning has never been so interactive and engaging! ????

In addition to the above disciplines, GIS can also be integrated with fields like urban planning, public health, transportation, agriculture, and business analytics. The interdisciplinary nature of GIS allows professionals from different domains to collaborate and leverage spatial data for informed decision-making. By embracing GIS, professionals can unlock the power of spatial analysis and visualization, leading to innovative solutions and sustainable development. Also the combination of machine learning, GIS, and these other disciplines can enhance analysis and decision making leading to better results Staying updated with advancements in GIS technology are essential for GIS professionals to enhance their skills and competencies.

GIS can be better viewed as a technology horizontal, and one of the technology enablers across different domains or fields. Implementation of GIS systems is similar to implementation of data systems, requiring a system design review and data modelling, etc. This also points to a lot of innovations and opportunities in this space, with the integration of AI like graph deep learning to improvements in imagery segmentation for satellite imagery. It would be an exciting field to see a deeper integration of technologies.

Maps transcend disciplines, because people relate to the phenomenon being depicted in a more meaningful manner. Integration is merely about how you collect, store and manipulate data in any given field, and ensuring that there is a suitable key to link the data to a "map". I don't think it matters if the map is real world or a map of an assembly line. It just needs a key and an attribute that needs colouring in.

When we talk about integrating GIS, let's not forget about data ethics, accessibility, and fostering collaboration. As we venture into this multidisciplinary world, it's crucial to ensure data privacy and make GIS tools accessible to all. Collaboration, after all, is the wind in our sails! ??? In the grand quest for knowledge, GIS is the thread that binds disciplines together. So, let's embrace this geospatial revolution, where technology meets tradition, and knowledge knows no boundaries. Together, we'll chart a course to a smarter, more interconnected future! ???? #GISIntegration #KnowledgeUnleashed