Checklist

• Scan: Do not deal with all of the content, but search through the material for a specific purpose or a specific word (or its synonym). Scanning is used for such purposes as finding the answer to a particular question.
• Skim: To skim, read a page by reading the headings and first sentences of each paragraph or section.
• Read: The purpose of this style is to understand the concepts and arguments that the text contains and it should be preceded by the Skim reading style.

• Foundations of Geospatial System Development, Part I
• Foundations of Geospatial System Development, Part II

Using Word (or a word processing program compatible with Microsoft®), identify and briefly discuss (<200 words):

what is unique about designing a geospatial system (GIS)?

Name your file Lsn4_YourName.doc. Please turn-in your document to the Lesson 7 Dropbox in ANGEL.

What is a “Think Piece”? A “think piece” is a form of writing that is less polished than a formal paper or presentation but more fully developed than an entry in a personal journal. Think pieces are written to discover what an individual is thinking about a particular topic. Within this course, the writing of think pieces is a way of helping learners connect with the subject matter. Within this context, think pieces reduce the grading risk associated with an “all or nothing” term paper and allow the instructor to communicate with learners throughout the semester, to see the evolution of thinking, and to suggest resources that can further the learners’ understanding.

What does a Think Piece look like? The starting point for a think piece for this course lie in the author’s immediate past experience. Because think pieces are as much a reflection of one’s ideas, there is no standard or uniform format for a think piece. In other words, each of us is writing from personal experience. We are not claiming to be objective not are we offering prescriptive, how-to, formulas or guidelines.