Vertical Integration of Geographic Information Sciences: A Recruitment Model for GIS Education

Abstract

An innovative vertical integration model for recruiting to GIS education was introduced and tested following four driving forces: curriculum development, GIS presentations, institutional collaboration, and faculty training. Curriculum development was a useful approach to recruitment, student credit hour generation, and retention-rate improvement. Recruitment presentations increased GIS awareness at all levels. The intensive teacher training combined with GIS class-development through institutional collaboration was effective in enhancing GIS education at high schools and community colleges. The vertical integration model is an effective means of recruitment for GIS education and could be used by programs confronted with problems in recruitment.

Key Words:

• GIS
• curriculum
• secondary education
• teacher training
• integrative model

Acknowledgments

This work is supported by National Geospatial Agency BAA HBCU Grant (BAA HM1582-07-BAA-0004).

Jaehyung Yu is an associate professor of geosciences at Texas A&M University–Kingsville, Texas, USA. His research focuses on GIS and remote sensing applications in geosciences and pedagogical approaches in GIS education and recruitment.

Niem Tu Huynh is an assistant professor in the Department of Geography at Texas State University–San Marcos, Texas, USA. Her research focuses on the learning processes of students in a geospatial technology setting.

Thomas Lee McGehee is professor of geology at Texas A&M University–Kingsville, Texas, USA. His research focuses on hydrological modeling and pedagogical methods in geosciences education.