Please join us at Westfield State for this great event:

 

Sleepwalking into the Future:  A World Without Spatial Thinking

Dr. Joseph Kerski

Education Manager

ESRI

November 17th

6:30 to 7:30pm

Horace Mann Garden Room A&B

Westfield State University

 

Join Geographer Dr. Joseph Kerski as we discuss 5 forces in education and society that may point to an unprecedented expansion of the opportunities for geography and geospatial education.  The forces of geo-awareness, geo-enablement, geotechnologies, citizen science, and storytelling are broadening the capability of the general public, educators, policymakers, and administrators to engage in geographic thinking and to be advocates for geography and geospatial technology throughout education and society.  However, ignoring these opportunities is akin to “sleepwalking into the future.” 

 

Everyday objects are rapidly becoming locatable, and thus able to be monitored and mapped.  Many tools and data sets that were formerly used and examined only by geographers and other earth and environmental scientists are now used by the general public.  Field data can be mapped by the general public from a variety of formats using web-based GIS.  Multimedia and cloud-based GIS have greatly multiplied the storytelling ability and attraction that maps have long had.  By discussing emerging technical and societal trends in geospatial technologies that are enabling these forces, you will discover how you can position your own future career path. 

 

Please feel free to contact me with questions.  Directions can be found at:  http://www.westfield.ma.edu/about/maps-directions

 

 

-Tim

 

Timothy LeDoux, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor/GIS Coordinator

Department of Geography & Regional Planning

Westfield State University

413.572.5722