The Geography of Access to Health Services
According to a 1993 Institute of Medicine report, access to health services means "the timely use of personal health services to achieve the best health outcomes." Geographic access is listed as one of three distinct components of access (along with insurance coverage and finding a trusted provider). Without adequate access to healthcare and health services, people…
AI and GIS: Finally Delivering on the promise
The field of artificial intelligence (AI) isn't new, and neither are its grand promises. AI as an academic pursuit has its roots in the 1950s. Early AI researchers were filled with optimism, but—despite some initial work that appeared groundbreaking, such as the first artificial neural networks—the field saw slow progress over the next several decades.…
Stop Teaching GIS
Teach how to learn GIS instead. That was a guiding principle as I recently redesigned the gateway course to the Penn State Online certificate and master's degree programs in GIS. I began developing Nature of Geographic Information in 1998, at the outset of the Penn State Online ;I designed the course to serve adult students…
Teaching Modern GIS
As educators, we are always faced with challenges on how we structure our curriculum activities to ensure that we are in line with modern industry practices. This is easier said than done—for one, there is likely no consensus on what a "modern geographic information system (GIS)" means; and two, it takes a tremendous amount of…
Educational GIS Activities in Africa
Over the past decade, most universities and some secondary schools across Africa have been exposed to geographic information system (GIS) technology. Teaching about and with GIS on that continent has been both challenging and rewarding. On April 9, 2017, the panel session "Teaching GIS in Africa" was held at the Association of American Geographers (AAG)…
GI_Forum Salzburg
GI_Forum 2017 provides a platform for dialogue among geospatial minds, creating an informed GeoInformation Society.
Nina Feldman: A Career in GIS and Geography
Nina Feldman, a former intern with AAG and the Geography and Map Division of the Library of Congress, shares why she chose a career in GIS and Geography in a very poignant guest blog post for Worlds Revealed: Geography & Maps at The Library Of Congress. She discusses the family members, professors and supervisors who…
GISCI Announces 2016 Fall Exam Test Period
The 2016 next testing window for the GISCI Geospatial Core Technical Knowledge Exam® as a part of the GISP Certification has been scheduled for December 3-10, 2016, and will be administered by PSI Online through their worldwide testing facilities in a computer based testing (CBT) format. The next testing window for the GISCI Geospatial Core Technical…
Nina Feldman Interns at AAG for Summer Semester
Nina Feldman is a senior pursuing a in environmental studies with a minor in geographic information systems at George Washington University. Her interests include art, geography and graphic design. After graduation she wants to work for an organization where she can utilize her GIS skills to help mitigate environmental concerns and gain further experience before pursuing her …
GIS Skills Competition for Undergraduate Students
GeoTech Center Offers Opportunity for Undergraduates to Showcase their GIS Skills Undergraduate students in the currently enrolled in a geospatial technology course are encouraged to enter the 2016 Undergraduate Geospatial Technology Skills Competition organized by the GeoTech Center. Students are challenged to use geospatial technology (GIS, remote sensing, UAVs, GPS) to address a real-world problem…
AAG at the Forefront of Geography Education Change
I will keep this column relatively brief because I want you to read a companion piece by Michael Solem, Director of Educational Research and Programs for AAG. In my August column I identified eight actions that I see as key to healthy geography departments: teach, promote, build, innovate, nurture, manage, reflect, and envision. In my…
Elizabeth Wentz Appointed ASU Dean of Social Sciences
Elizabeth Wentz, professor and director of the School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning at Arizona State University, has been appointed dean of social sciences in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Wentz received her doctorate from Pennsylvania State University, and her master’s and bachelor’s from Ohio State University. She came to ASU in…