Crossing Disciplinary Boundaries in the Classroom
Using Technology Mediated Client-Consultant Relationships

Proposal - December 1996
George Hess (Forestry) and Mary Myers (Landscape Architecture)

Summary

We will establish a client-consultant relationship between students in a natural resources class and a landscape architecture class through a coordinated natural resources development project. Communication among students will be facilitated by a common geographic information system (GIS) database and GIS-generated presentation materials.

Budget requested: $2,000.


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Rationale

Landscape architects collaborate extensively with natural resource professionals to obtain information critical to project design and execution. This information is increasingly transmitted in the form of geographic information system (GIS) data or GIS-generated maps. We will establish a client-consultant relationship in a classroom setting through a coordinated natural resources development project. ArcView®, a GIS heavily used for natural resource development projects, will facilitate communication between client and consultant. A series of joint class sessions will be held so that students are able to interact personally.

Approach

Students in NR 300, Natural Resources Measurements, are introduced to natural resource inventory and measurement techniques through a combination of lectures and laboratory exercises. In LAR 600, Landscape Description Studio, students are introduced to inventory and analysis techniques and charged with preparing design solutions based on analysis results. Acting as clients, students in LAR 600 will generate project requirements and information requests. Students in NR 300, acting as consultants, will be able to provide detailed, technical information that might otherwise be unavailable to students in LAR 600. Information will be shared through a common GIS database and GIS-generated presentation materials.

Because the success of this effort relies heavily on complex GIS technology and the availability of high quality GIS data, we will hire a graduate student to coordinate all class-related GIS activities. The level of expertise and commitment expected for this position is above and beyond that of the regularly assigned teaching assistant. The duties of the graduate student will be to

  • obtain existing GIS data for the project area and make it available to students;

  • teach introductory ArcView to both classes;

  • create new GIS coverages from thematic maps created by students;

  • ensure the smooth flow of information between the two classes;

  • ensure the smooth operation of GIS computer facilities used by the students;

  • and provide ArcView consulting and assistance for students.

    Impact

  • Increases communication across disciplinary boundaries.

  • Exposes students to a realistic client-consultant relationship. Through this process, students will gain increased understanding of the need for various data and of the technical expertise and effort required to obtain it.

  • Increase awareness of the capabilities and limitations of GIS.

    Budget Requested: $2,000

    Computer consulting $2,000

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