Free The Role Of GIS In Digital Earth Education Essay: Top-Quality Sample To Follow

In essence, the context of the article of interest addresses the need to include studies about Earth through the use of the technology-based applications like Remote Sensing, Global Positioning Systems (GIS), and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) into the education of students who will be in-charge of the world’s future. As a resolution to the catastrophes indirectly worsened by insufficient and misdirected education, the article suggests that people must be educated on how and why our planet works for them to be able to devise solutions to our current problems and strive for a sustainable Earth. It also strongly proposes that the Earth systems education program target the general public in order to guarantee the spread of information all throughout society.
The focus of the article is mainly targeted at the topics about the Earth that should be taught in school. In general, the public must be informed about the challenges we face, especially concerning population, environment, and resources. The article also said that various concepts, including diversity, conservation, stewardship, and sustainability, are some of the critical component to emphasize in the curriculum. Another critical component is the processes involved such as biogeochemical cycles, symbioses, water cycle, nitrogen cycle, carbon cycle, eutrophication, ecological succession, migration of people, plants and animals, the radiation budget, salinization, mutualism, neutralism, and photosynthesis (Kerski, 2008). It is also stated that the students must understand that every decision made concerning the environment, specifically in the legal sense, are vital and must be studied carefully. The article also stressed out that humans contribute as the major agents of change on Earth, especially due to the fact that we always do whatever we want and not really think about the consequences of these actions. The sources mentioned in this part were mostly primary sources.
A part of this article is dedicated to a short history on how GIS was brought into the academic scene, which, for me, is critical to understand the position of the author. According to the article, the role of GIS in programs about Earth systems is the means of effectively teaching about Earth and its components through the use of powerful applications on powerful software that are able to process big data from different sectors of science like Geography, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Earth Science. As GIS became part of teachings to the students, it is taught with theoretical and practical components.
Figures from one of the applications used in GIS were included in the article, which provides visual for the readers. The article also mentioned some of the challenges faced when teaching GIS. The content of this are mostly from primary sources. The article cited a survey that was conducted involving 1520 secondary school teachers in the U.S. who use GIS software. The article also said that some educators who teach GIS lack training. Some examples with GIS teachings were also laid out. The author also said something about the community dedicated in the international geospatial education, such as how it was formed, developed, and the characteristics of being a good community. The author also cited Bloom’s taxonomy of cognitive domain and how it would help the teachers in helping their students learn GIS.
Overall, the article laid some recommendations in teaching GIS. The author concluded on the note that since our technology can provide us even more information about the Earth than before, we should take this opportunity to study, analyze, and conclude on ways we can solve the current crises that we are facing. At the end of the article, the author emphasized the use of education as the forward movement towards change.
Kerski, J. J. (2008). The Role of GIS in Digital Earth Education. International Journal of Digital Earth, 1:4, 326-346.