Document Type

Thesis - University Access Only

Award Date

2007

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Geography

Abstract

In 2001 the state of South Dakota embarked on a progressive, statewide technological initiative in K-12 education, providing teacher with the tools and skills to teach students how to use Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Geographic Information System (GIS). The initiative was well received and included many teacher across the state. Recently, however, the state stopped actively supporting teachers in continuing education and introductory training in GPS/GIS. In this the is the author sought to: ( 1) review published research pertaining to the use of GIS/GPS in the classroom and its effects on student achievement; (2) investigate the history and current status of the South Dakota GPS/GIS initiative; (3) evaluate the South Dakota teacher who have implemented GPS/GIS in their classroom, identifying selected characteristics, needs for support, obstacle to using the technology and perceptions of GPS/GIS and its educational value; and (4) measure the attitudinal effect GPS/GIS technology has on one group of World Geography student in South Dakota. It is the hope of the author to shed light on the current situation with the use of GPS/GIS technology in secondary classroom in South Dakota and provide appropriate recommendations to revitalize the state' GPS/GIS initiative.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Geographic information systems -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Dakota

Global Positioning System -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Dakota

Educational technology -- South Dakota

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

75

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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