HR: 11:35h
AN: IN32A-06    [Abstracts]
TI: GEOG 342: Exploring the Virtual Earth
AU: * Bailey, J E
EM: jbailey@gi.alaska.edu
AF: University of Alaska Geography Program, PO Box 755840, Fairbanks, AK 99775, United States
AU: * Bailey, J E
EM: jbailey@gi.alaska.edu
AF: Arctic Region Supercomputing Center, 909 Koyukuk Drive University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK 99775, United States
AU: Sfraga, M
EM: mike.sfraga@alaska.edu
AF: University of Alaska Geography Program, PO Box 755840, Fairbanks, AK 99775, United States
AB: First attributed to Eratosthenes around 200 BC, the word "geography" is derived from Greek words meaning "Earth" and "to describe". It describes the study of our planets, its features, inhabitants, and phenomena. The term "neogeography" put simply is new geography; where new refers to more than just practices that are new in usage. Methodologies of neogeography tend toward the intuitive, personal, artistic or even absurd, and general don't confirm to traditional protocols and boundaries. Mapping and spatial technologies such as Geobrowsers are typical of the tools used by neogeographers. Much of the success of Geobrowsers can be attributed to the fact that they use the methods and technologies of neogeography to provide a better understanding of traditional topics of Geography. The Geography program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks is embracing these new methodologies by offering a new class that explores the world around us through the use of Geobrowsers and other Web 2.0 technologies. Students will learn to use Keyhole Markup Language (KML), Google Maps API, SketchUp and a range of Virtual Globes programs, primarily through geospatial datasets from the Earth Sciences. A special focus will be given to datasets that look at the environments and natural hazards that make Alaska such a unique landscape. The role of forums, wikis and blogs in the expansion of the Geoweb will be explored, and students will be encouraged to be active on these websites. Students will also explore Second Life, the concept of which will be introduced through the class text, Neal Stephenson's "Snow Crash". The primary goal of the class is to encourage students to undertake their own explorations of virtual Earths, in order to better understand the physical and social structure of the real world.
UR: http://www.geographyua.org
DE: 0800 EDUCATION
DE: 0825 Teaching methods
DE: 0850 Geoscience education research
DE: 9820 Techniques applicable in three or more fields
SC: Earth and Space Science Informatics [IN]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting