1996 California GIS Educators' Symposium

A two-day symposium to encourage communication, cooperation, and articulation between GIS educators at all levels of education in California

August 11-12, 1996

To be held at the
University of California
Santa Barbara


Keynote Speaker

Jack Dangermond - ESRI


Organized by

National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis (NCGIA)

California Geographic Information Association (CGIA)


Co-sponsored
by (requested)

Bay Area Automated Mapping Association

Southern California
Urban and Regional Information Systems Association


Symposium
steering committee

Dr. Michael Goodchild
NCGIA Director and UCSB Professor

Mr. Steve Palladino
NCGIA Education Projects Manager

Dr. Richard Wright
CGIA Education Committee Chair and SDSU Professor

Ms. Charlotte Simpson-Smith
Cabrillo College GIS Instructor

Mr. Greg Barker
Thousand Oaks High School Teacher



California GIS Educators' Symposium

The National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis (NCGIA) at UC Santa Barbara and the California Geographic Information Association (CGIA) in cooperation with other interested parties around the state are organizing the first symposium for GIS educators from the various educational institutions in the state. We hope to have participation from the universities, 4-year colleges, community colleges, grade schools, and extension and professional training programs.

The day and a half symposium will feature:

  • A keynote address on the current role of GIS in research, management, business, and education as it relates to GIS instruction.

  • A review of the status of GIS education in the various educational institutions around the state and the nation.

  • Demonstrations of GIS educational applications and curriculum materials developed by NCGIA and by other symposium participants. There will also be vendor displays of software and materials for GIS education.

  • Breakout sessions focused on the specific needs of GIS educators in different types of institutions and on the issues of concern that cross the boundaries between these groups.

  • Discussion of strategic initiatives to articulate and integrate GIS education activities around the state, to develop collaborative efforts between K-12 schools, community colleges, 4-year colleges, and universities, and to build partnerships with government and private agencies.

  • The intended outcome of this symposium is to create a greater awareness of the status of GIS education around the state, to provide an environment for the formation of cooperative ventures among educational institutions, and to identify strategic goals for enhancing GIS educational opportunities in California. A report on the findings of the symposium will be prepared and made available on the NCGIA World Wide Web site and published in the NCGIA Technical Report series.



    Symposium Details

    The symposium will begin at 1pm Sunday, August 11. A group dinner will end the afternoon's activities. Monday will be a full day including lunch and a working dinner session ending at about 9pm. Housing will be provided for Sunday and Monday nights. (We may be able to arrange Saturday night housing at a small additional fee.)

    Registration
    The full registration fee includes participation in all symposium sessions, materials, most meals, and 2 nights lodging in UCSB campus apartments. Local registration does not include housing and is intended for participants who live in the local area or for whom we cannot secure housing space.

    To register, complete the form attached and provide a one page summary of your experience with GIS and related activities and the status of GIS instruction in your institution, including discussion of:

  • what courses about GIS or incorporating GIS are taught at your institution and in which departments

  • who are the typical students in these courses

  • how do GIS related courses contribute to degree or certificate programs

  • if you teach courses specifically on GIS what is their emphasis -- applied uses, theory, or ???

  • how does GIS-based research relate to your instructional activities

  • where would you like to see your GIS education activities go in the future

  • relevant WWW links (include addresses)

  • All participant summaries will be posted to our Symposium WWW page. If possible, please supply the text in electronic format (DOS or Macintosh ASCII Text or html on disk or via email).

    Planned Symposium Web Page Contents
    (http://ncgia.ucsb.edu/education/Ed_Conf.html)

  • Symposium registration details and updates

  • Registrants' summaries of their GIS activities which will be posted prior to the symposium

  • Links to relevant web sites

  • Symposium final report

  • Scholarships
    A limited number of scholarships will be available for K-12 teachers, community college instructors, and other GIS educators. An effort will be made to distribute scholarships to those who have the most limited resources to attend this type of event. Depending on availability, scholarship funds will cover part or all of registration cost and may also help defray some travel expense.

    Registrants interested in scholarships must apply by June 30, 1996 and include with their registration form and summary of GIS experience and activities, a separate statement explaining how they hope to benefit from this symposium and what financial constraints they face. Scholarships will be announced prior to the July 15 deadline. Once they are announced, any registration fees not covered by scholarships will be due.

    Vendor and Participant Demonstrations
    The conference will feature an afternoon of demonstrations including NCGIA and UCSB GIS facilities, projects, and educational materials, GIS vendor software and educational materials, and symposium participant activities. If you have example GIS activities or materials which you believe other GIS educators would find helpful and would like to be part of these demonstrations, please contact Steve Palladino.

    Housing
    Since only a limited number of campus-owned apartments have been reserved for this meeting, it is important to register early. Some of the apartments will be two bedroom, but unless otherwise requested, there will only be one symposium participant per bedroom. The two breakfasts are the only meals for which participants are responsible during the symposium. Apartments provide basic cooking facilities and utensils and there are nearby restaurants.

    For more information contact: Steve Palladino
    NCGIA/Geography Department
    University of California Santa Barbara
    Santa Barbara, CA, 93106-4060
    805-893-4305 FAX 805-893-8617
    email:spalladi@ncgia.ucsb.edu



    Important Dates
    Scholarship Requests Due: June 3O, 1996
    Early Registration by:July 15, 1996
    Late RegistrationAugust 5, 1996

    NEW EARLY REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS JULY 26!

    Registration Fees *
    Before July 15After July 15
    Full Registration$175$225
    Local Registration$100$150

    *
    Full includes Sunday and Monday night lodging as long as there is space. When space runs out, the local rate will apply and registrants will need to arrange and pay for their own lodging. After July 15, there are no fee refunds.



    Dr./Mr./Mrs./Ms. _____________________________________________
    Position:____________________________________________________
    Department: __________________________________________________
    School or Company: ___________________________________________
    Address: ____________________________________________________
    City & Zip Code:______________________________________________
    Work phone: __________________Home phone:___________________
    Fax: ________________Email:_________________________________

    Circle best mode to contact you this summer:
    Work Phone
    Home Phone
    Fax
    Email

    Complete this form and send it in with your one page summary (and scholarship request). Include the appropriate registration fee, unless you are applying for a scholarship prior to the June 30 deadline. Submit payments by check, money order, or puchase order. Credit Cards Not Accepted. Make checks payable to U.C. Regents/NCGIA and send to:
    CA GIS Educators' Symposium, NCGIA/Geography Research, 3611 Ellison Hall, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106-4060


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