Description

Background/Question/Methods

Libraries of spatial data indicating key aspects of environmental change are available at local, regional, and global scales. Providing students open access to these data with complementary easy-to-use tools for exploring, has been shown to generate a powerful educational experience. Data Basin (www.databasin.org), an online data sharing and information platform, enables instructors to guide students through research, project development, and interactive spatial data analysis. Students can ask questions about our changing global environment by exploring real world applications. Students are using Data Basin to create or participate in collaborative groups designed to encourage peer review and facilitate engagement with professional scientists, researchers and practitioners in the conservation community. Instructors are able to leverage Data Basin’s resources to provide students with access to current spatial data and information, visualization tools, and the opportunity to develop new skills that can be put to use as students and as young professionals. The interactive nature of the Data Basin platform allows courses to have flexible and customizable designs to accommodate both online and in-person course work.

Results/Conclusions

Though Data Basin can be used for a wide range of educational purposes in formal and informal education, this presentation focuses on the application of Data Basin in higher education. Three university level examples (Oregon State University in the Biological and Ecological Engineering Department, University of Washington Bothell in the Environmental Studies and Science Department and Texas A&M University in the Ecosystem Science and Management Department) will be presented to show how the spatial data and tools were used in course curricula and lead to specific educational outcomes. This presentation will cover proposed next steps for improving student experience and recommendations for instructors in customizing the platform to meet learning objectives.

https://databasin.org/

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