ScienceMaps: An Onlien Resource Portal for Standards-Based Science Instrucion Using Geographic Information Systems Technology

Abstract

At the beginning of the twenty-first century, technology implementation and its effect on student achievement is a topic of much interest and debate. Science education in particular has been criticized for not utilizing the skills of a “techno-savvy” generation and for not effectively integrating technology into the K-12 science classroom. This chapter discusses ScienceMaps, an ongoing research and development effort consisting of an online resource portal for standards-based science instruction using GIS technology. ScienceMaps is unique in that it concentrates on using GIS to teach, not on teaching GIS. Using an Internet-based GIS, ScienceMaps provides access to GIS technology and data to anyone, anywhere, with access to an Internet browser. Assessment, evaluation, and future development directions for ScienceMaps are also discussed.