Exploring the anatomy of Geographic Information Systems and Technology (GIS&T) textbooks

Abstract

Choosing a textbook is among the most important decisions instructors make in preparation for an academic term. Geographic Information Systems and Technology (GIS&T) textbook development has been influenced by a unique set of circumstances, mainly the rapid development of the discipline within an interdisciplinary environment, which has resulted in a continuous state of evolution. We examine the anatomy of GIS&T textbooks through a comparison of their organization, content, and depth of coverage. Specifically, utilizing the Geographic Information Science and Technology Body of Knowledge (BoK) as a comprehensive reference, we categorize the content of 26 of the most widely used introductory GIS textbooks.Our results show that there has been consistent coverage of topics over time, with analytical methods and geospatial data being the most prominent topics covered in texts. However, individual textbooks place varying emphasis on the BoK knowledge areas, which is potentially useful to instructors seeking books that emphasize particular knowledge areas. Additionally, long-term trends indicate a shift toward an emphasis on new forms of geospatial data (e.g., social media). Ongoing efforts to expand and revise the BoK reflect how the discipline continues to manage its own evolution as new geographic research linked to GIS and GIScience emerges. | I NTR OD U CTI ONChoosing a textbook can be among the most important decisions that Geographic Information Systems and Technology (GIS&T) instructors make in preparation for an academic term. Instructors rely on textbooks to provide a conceptual foundation and common experience that prepares students for lectures, class discussions, and laboratory sessions.Textbooks supplement and support learning objectives by facilitating an exploration of ideas and concepts that is not possible within the limits imposed by class meeting times. As portable resources for self-paced learning, textbooks are among the most important pedagogical tools used in teaching. At the same time, textbooks play roles beyond helping students understand concepts and principles by serving as a medium through which research is conveyed to future practitioners. Because of their ubiquity, textbooks shape outside perceptions of academic fields by offering ". . .stability Transactions in GIS. 2018;22:165-182.wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/tgis

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