High Impact GIS
The "big ideas" and complex problems a course or program tries to address are not easily discovered, analyzed, or solved in traditional, archaic constructs of 20th-century teaching practices. Rather, the big ideas and problems we try to address should I dare say, "rock our very soul," which often does not occur in learning spaces focused on linear outcomes that are assessed using the constructs of standardization via grading rubrics or exams. High impact practices (HIPs) such as ePortfolio signature assignments and reflective pedagogy are an attempt for students to address complexity within the physical, cultural, and social environments we live within.
George Kuh and the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) have identified ten specific learning activities that are classified as High Impact Practices (HIPs). As noted on the AAC&U website, HIPs have been widely tested and be beneficial for college students from many backgrounds." Studies have shown that HIPs have their most significant impact on students of color and underrepresented students, but all students benefit from these teaching and learning practices.
Recently, ePortfolios became the newest high impact practice as sponsored by George D. Kuh and AAC&U. "ePortfolios are the latest addition to AAC&U’s list of high-impact educational practices, and higher education has developed a range of ways to implement them for teaching and learning, programmatic assessment, and career development. ePortfolios enable students to electronically collect their work over time, reflect upon their personal and academic growth, and then share selected items with others, such as professors, advisors, and potential employers. Because collection over time is a key element of the ePortfolio process, employing ePortfolios in collaboration with other high-impact practices provides opportunities for students to make connections between various educational experiences." ([email protected], 2014
George Kuh and the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) have identified ten specific learning activities that are classified as High Impact Practices (HIPs). As noted on the AAC&U website, HIPs have been widely tested and be beneficial for college students from many backgrounds." Studies have shown that HIPs have their most significant impact on students of color and underrepresented students, but all students benefit from these teaching and learning practices.
Recently, ePortfolios became the newest high impact practice as sponsored by George D. Kuh and AAC&U. "ePortfolios are the latest addition to AAC&U’s list of high-impact educational practices, and higher education has developed a range of ways to implement them for teaching and learning, programmatic assessment, and career development. ePortfolios enable students to electronically collect their work over time, reflect upon their personal and academic growth, and then share selected items with others, such as professors, advisors, and potential employers. Because collection over time is a key element of the ePortfolio process, employing ePortfolios in collaboration with other high-impact practices provides opportunities for students to make connections between various educational experiences." ([email protected], 2014
Geographic Information Systems - The Next High Impact Practice?
Moving forward, I would like to research to possibility the geographic information systems (GIS), could be the next high impact practice. GIS allows students to analyze complex spatial patterns of the physical and cultural worlds we live in. The technology allows students to use quantitative literacy to analyze complex data, critical thinking skills to make connections with and between the data, and allows them to communicate the information and knowledge they acquired to specific audiences. GIS technology allows students to analyze complex information across disciplines to analyze physical or cultural land-use patterns spatially and over time, and to communicate shared meaning. It is also available using a variety of software platforms, including open source such as QGIS 3.0 and OpenStreetMap.