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Spring Time is Crunch Time
For everyone here at JMU the spring semester is winding down, the weather has really warmed up and all life seems to be blooming once again, but for students these are some hard times. Well at least for me it seems that way, between the allure of hanging out in the warm weather with my friends and the increased work load I have been experiencing, the end of the semester is always one big willpower test for me.
One class which requires me to focus, instead of slack in the sun, is GEOG 466 with Dr. Kraenzle. This is one of my classes where I am doing an end of the year project that will take my team and I the rest of the semester to complete. GEOG 466 is officially called Managing GIS & Geographic Databases.
Throughout the year we have been learning aspects about GIS data, like how it is stored, organized, and how it is used.
This may seem unimportant but in reality it is basically the fundamental aspect of all GIS. Without good data, maps will not be made; and even if the data is good, without a proper method for storing our data it would never be found in the massive electronic clearinghouses that geographers rely on to extract their data.
One particularly interesting part of this class is Dr. Kraenzle's application of what we learn in the classroom to the commercial world. The project which we are working on right now requires us to not only make a map, but extract the data ourselves, create a project plan like used in any industry, as well as specifications that will be required in our project which we must set ourselves. This project is so unique because we have to set our own standards. Making my team and I hold ourselves to such a standard is a valuable learning tool in the real world, because if we don't hold ourselves to such high standards it will show through in our work, and no customer would ever purchase it. Honestly the work itself is not difficult, but continuously trying to improve our specifications and plans is. That’s what I think I enjoy about the class - not all the technical information you learn but the responsibility and managerial skills you have to take on in order for the project to be a true success.
I have two other projects in two other classes that I am currently working on and all are coming along really well. Working with a partner always helps so much. Another thing I enjoy about the College of ISAT is the fundamental basis of group work. It really cuts down on the stress to know you have partners working with you. I'll let you all know how those are coming along as well in the near future.
Posted by Simeon on April 12, 2005 04:03 PM | Link | Email Simeon
