“Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are computer-based systems for the collection, management, display, and analysis of geographical or spatial information. These computer applications allow you to visualize large amounts of complex, spatial data by creating and combining layers of customized maps. If you can imagine, GIS allows you to wipe a landscape clean of its jumble of topography, rivers, environmental damage, wildlife, streets, buildings, telephone lines, and people, and then add this information back as separate layers in any combination so that you can see patterns and relationships that would have been difficult to notice otherwise. GIS can mine data from spreadsheets or relational databases, and combine it with visual data such as CAD files, graphics, and images to create "intelligent maps" on which different types of analyses can be performed.”

National Institute for Technology & Liberal Education (2003-2004). GIS at NITLE: A Geographic Information Systems Initiative. Retrieved August 18, 2004, from http://gis.nitle.org/about.php

Over the past few years, there has been a growing interest in the use of GIS in the classroom and for research. Since GIS can be used to present any data that has a geographic component, the possibilities are endless. GIS is used by many government agencies, schools and private companies to present and analyze various types of data.

At Trinity, we have licenses for ESRI’s ArcGIS software (version 9.1) as the software component of our GIS. Projects on campus using this software have included: a display of patterns of Hispanic migration in Hartford, analysis of the way school districts are organized, and researching the differences between city and suburban school districts. GIS has also been used to map local Hartford crime data, and to create maps using Connecticut DEP data.

Some types of data that can be mapped using GIS are census data and topographical maps from the USGS or other sources. One can layer environmental data from the DEP, streets, waterways, and even satellite photos can be placed as layers on a map to help show the scale and add depth to the data being presented. The system also makes it easy to view data from a global perspective down to the local level. It has even been used to map the patterns of veins in leaves. Any data which has a spatial component can be mapped.

If you would like to discuss further how GIS may enhance student learning and research, please contact your resource specialist.