Geography 583 is a required course in the Penn State Master of Geographic Information Systems degree program. This course surveys a range of contemporary systems analysis and design methods through case studies, collaborative work, and critical reading / writing. Key topics in this course outline the broad range of current GISystems, how they are designed and evaluated, and how emerging technologies may impact their design and implementation in the near future.
This course will challenge you to exercise the analytical and writing skills needed to develop successful project reports and proposals. Assignments focus on helping students improve their ability to discuss, write, and critique technical and research articles on the design of geographic information systems. A semester-long project involves writing a design proposal or system requirements document for the development of a real or hypothetical geographic information system.
What will we learn about in the Orientation?
In addition to introducing the basic concepts covered in this course, this orientation also serves as your guide to the structure of the course and to our online learning environment. At the successful completion of the Course Orientation, students should be able to:
- navigate between this course text and the Canvas course management system;
- articulate expectations about how and what you will learn in your online course;
- understand how and what instructors expect you to learn in your online course;
- locate key information about the course, including assignments, due dates, technical information, places to get help, and course policies;
- understand course policies, including academic integrity;
- communicate with instructors and fellow students.
What is due for the Orientation?
To get started with the course, please follow the required steps below. The Orientation is one week in length. Please refer to the Calendar in Canvas for specific time frames and due dates. You may find it useful to print this page out first so that you can follow along with the directions.
| Step | Activity | Access/Directions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Read through the Course Orientation. | You are in the Course Orientation now. Continue reading through the rest of the Orientation. |
| 2 | Personalize your Canvas profile and set up your notification preferences. | Canvas Activities |
| 3 | Introduce yourself to your colleagues and post a comment to the Course Introductions Discussion. | Introduce Yourself |
| 4 | Complete the Initial Course Survey in Canvas. | Course Survey |
| 5 | If you haven't already done so, carefully review the course syllabus to learn about the course and its requirements. | Syllabus |
| 6 | Begin the course! | Lesson 1 |
Questions?
If you have any questions now or at any point during this week, please feel free to post your thoughts in the General Questions Discussion Forum in Canvas. While you are there, feel free to post your own responses and comments if you are able to help out a classmate.