The Delaware Geography-Health Initiative: Lessons Learned in Designing a GIS-Based Curriculum

Abstract

The Delaware Geography-Health Initiative is a Web- and GIS-based set of lesson units for teaching geographic concepts and research methods within the context of the state's high school geography standards. Each unit follows a research-based, inquiry-centered model addressing questions of health because of Delaware's high incidence of cancer, HIV/AIDS, and infant mortality. Topics focus on cancer and the environment, the geography of HIV/AIDS, the diffusion of West Nile fever, provision of emergency ambulance services, the location of the state's next hospital, infant mortality and the location of prenatal care, and identification of healthy places. Results from piloting and early formative assessments were used to modify the final product. Lessons learned in developing this project may assist those seeking to create GIS-based state-specific teaching units for geography and other related subjects.

Key Words:

• health lessons
• GIS
• spatial analysis
• public health
• epidemiology

Acknowledgments

Development of the Delaware Geography-Health Initiative was supported by a Grosvenor Grant from the National Geographic Education Foundation. The authors also wish to express appreciation to Margaret Legates and anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments that substantial improved this manuscript.

Peter W. Rees is associate professor of geography at the University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA. From 1989 until 2005 he was the primary coordinator of the Delaware Geographic Alliance and an author of the state geography standards. Today, he serves as the geography content advisor for the Delaware statewide assessment.

Jordan A. Silberman received his M.A. in geography in 2004 from the University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA. He is now an independent consultant with interests in innovative GIS applications for business and government.