Seminar 15 October: Usability issues in Geoinformation Science research

Seminar by Dr Ioannis Delikostidis on the 15th of October from 4-5pm in Cotton 304, Victoria University, Kelburn campus.  

http://www.victoria.ac.nz/sgees/about/events/vuw-ged-seminar-usability-issues-in-geoinformation-science-research

Upcoming Seminar by Dr Ioannis Delikostidis on Usability Issues in Geoinformation Science Research

VUW GED Seminar

Thursday 15^th October 2015, 4-5pm

Cotton Seminar Room CO304, Kelburn Campus

Usability issues in Geoinformation Science research

Speaker: Dr Ioannis Delikostidis

Canterbury University 

It has been more than half a century since Human Computer Interaction (HCI) started becoming an integral part of GIS and Geo-information Science. This relationship kept evolving to meet what is now called “democratization of Geographic technologies”. It reflects the transformation of a closed, expert’s domain (Geography/GIS), into an open, multi-disciplinary mosaic of various fields and practices, animated by rapid advances in technology. We all now talk about volunteered geographic information, internet of things and UAVs, virtual environments and natural user interfaces as a means to interacting with a wealth of information largely interwoven with “location”. Buzz words such as “big data analytics” strive to get a real meaning inside a complex ecosystem overwhelmed with technology, where the end users of the derived information (eminently geo-information) are mostly regarded as consumers rather than inspirers. Research in both Geo-information Science and HCI, although widely related, still lacks an integrated theoretical grounding to support new findings. Moreover, usability of geo-information and its applications is still not viewed as a core principle when conducting research, restraining the communication channels between research and society. What could be done to change the current situation?

Biography:  Dr. Ioannis Delikostidis is a lecturer in Geo-Information Science in the Department of Geography of the University of Canterbury. Prior to this position, he worked for the Greek Government for several years and was a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Muenster, Germany. He obtained his MSc. and PhD in Geo-Information Science from the University of Twente, the Netherlands, and he holds a BSc in Electronic and Computer Systems Engineering. Dr. Delikostidis’ research has been focusing on improving the usability of pedestrian navigation systems, developing context-sensitive means for interaction with geographic information and implementing sound methods and techniques for assessing them. He has also done research on immersive virtual environments (IVEs) to accommodate user interactions with location-based systems inside the lab. His main research interests lie around User-Centred Design, use, users and usability research in Geo-Information Science, crowdsourcing strategies, technologies and issues, sensor networks and data transferring technologies, and physical computing.

ALL WELCOME

Those pesky conclusions

I've always found finishing a chapter or paper to be somewhat problematic.  This blog post is a nice way of thinking through your concluding options.

https://medium.com/advice-and-help-in-authoring-a-phd-or-non-fiction/seven-questions-to-ask-about-how-your-chapter-ends-262d5ad5e653

Is university worth it?

Yes if your degree is in geospatial!

According to an online article from December 2014.

http://geospatial-solutions.com/is-college-worth-the-price-yes-if-your-major-is-geospatial/

Summer Scholarship - Heather Campbell - Changing Travel Patterns

Heather Campbell comments on her summer scholarship research:

During the summer of 2014-2015 I received a Summer Research Scholarship with Victoria University of Wellington (VUW) and Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) to explore the GWRC’s 1988 and 2001 Household Travel Survey datasets.

The main aim of this project was to explore changes in travel patterns in the Wellington region between 1988 and 2001, by identifying statistical patterns and producing map visualisations of these patterns.  An additional aim of this project was to integrate this Household Travel Survey (HTS) data into the Institute for the Study of Competition and Regulation’s Wellington Spatial Econometric Transportation (W-SET) model.  Currently based on the Ministry of Transport HTS, W-SET models residential choice, car ownership and commute mode decisions within Greater Wellington.

The GWRC HTS datasets are based on surveys of residents within the Greater Wellington region about their trip making behaviour. The data consists of information about each participant in the survey and the trips they made over the survey period.  Using these datasets I compared travel patterns between 1988 and 2001, with a focus on commuting patterns.  In particular, I compared changes in modal choices, car sharing patterns, vehicle ownership, time trips are made, trips per person and commute times and distances (using network analysis).  These patterns were also compared with data from the Ministry of Transport HTS for years 2003/04 and 2009/10.  By using statistical tests and producing visualisations of these patterns, many interesting changes in travel patterns within the Wellington region were able to be explored – in terms of both overall patterns and spatial patterns.

Heather's project was supervised by Mairead de Roiste and Toby Daglish.  The industry advisor for the project was Nick Sargent.

First Master of GIS crosses the stage

Reproduced from VicNews 18 May 2015

Victoria University of Wellington’s first Master of Geographic Information Science (GIS) was capped at one of the May graduation ceremonies. Andrew Clouston, Geospatial Team Manager at Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), was the first person to graduate with a Masters degree at Victoria University since the programme’s inception in 2012.

Carrying out his studies part-time was a challenge but well worth the effort, says Andrew. “I was juggling my studies with full-time work, family and a commute from the Wairarapa. I received a great amount of support which enabled me to complete my Master’s in just over three years.”

Programme Director Dr Mairead de Roiste says the programme attracts recent graduates and professionals like Andrew who are already in the workforce and looking to upskill.

“A number of government departments, such as LINZ, have actively encouraged staff through sponsorship to take part in the programme. The programme benefits from a great richness of student experiences and perspectives, such as surveying in Andrew's case, conservation, education and consulting in others.”

Andrew’s thesis explored the issues of including citizen data collection or crowdsourcing in government datasets with a specific focus on the New Zealand Cadastre (the system responsible for recording land surveys and property boundaries information).

“In addition to being topical and relevant for New Zealand, the conversations generated as a result of his work have advanced New Zealand's thinking on how we can maintain our authoritative databases to a high international standard in light of changing technologies and expectations”, says Dr de Roiste.

The Master of GIS, introduced in response to a national geospatial skills shortage, is a collaboration between Victoria University, the University of Canterbury and AUT.

“It’s a unique programme internationally. We make use of innovative technologies to join students and staff based at the three different institutions into the same courses and programme,” says Dr de Roiste.

“The skills our students gain are invaluable – in fact we've had the unusual problem of a number of our students getting jobs before they've finished.” 

Interesting take on learning to programme

http://worrydream.com/LearnableProgramming/

I enjoyed this article on the importance of thinking about how learners learn programming - worth a look if you are either taking or designing a programming course!

With thanks to Richard Law for the link.

Congratulations Heather Campbell!

Heather Campbell recently won the best in group poster competition at Victoria University.  Heather produced a poster detailing her work on a household travel survey by Greater Wellington Regional Council.

Each summer, VUW offers a number of summer scholarship projects to promising students thinking about postgraduate studies.  Information on the programme is available here.

Heather is pictured below with Nick Sargent her industry advisor.  Heather's project was supervised by Mairead de Roiste and Toby Daglish and builds on earlier work with similar datasets.

Heather is currently studying on the Postgraduate Diploma in GIS at Victoria University of Wellington.

An International PGDipGIS Student

My name is Sanky Meng and I’m from Hohhot, China. I will soon graduate with a PostgraduateDiploma in Geographic Information Sciences (PGDipGIS) from Victoria University of Wellington. Before I came to New Zealand for this program, I had a few worries about studying and living in New Zealand. English is particularly difficult for Chinese students, and the education system and cultures are totally different. 

It’s true that at the start, it wasn’t easy. However, I got a lot of help from the lecturers and my classmates, in both my studies and with any problems with language. For example, Andrew Rae, the GIS Technician often supported me to solve problems and answered my questions in the computer labs. Having spent a lot of time in our GIS lab, I had many discussions about assignments and GIS. I generally chatted about GIS and life with my classmates and with their help improved my English along the way!  Without their help and friendship, I wouldn't have been able to integrate into this new environment so quickly.

I chose to specialize in GIS because of Google Earth which attracted me to the field. Being the kind of person who is interested in new technologies, I took a bachelor degree of Geography Information Systems in Beijing. I enjoy studying GIS and think it's a great field to be in.

The MGIS program gave me plenty of professional GIS knowledge across both theory and practical applications, such as programming skills, advanced spatial analysis, and GIS in conservation. I am very fortunate to be able to study in New Zealand. This is such a beautiful country and the locals are very kind and friendly.

After one year of studying, my English has improved significantly and study at Victoria University has highly increased my GIS knowledge and has broadened my outlook on life. I have now built up my skills and confidence and look forward to working in the GIS industry.

Summer Scholarship: Sam McLean - Graduate Pathways Project

Sam McLean, a VUW summer scholarship student, comments on his summer research work.

Over this summer, I worked as a summer scholar with Mairead through the Victoria University of Wellington Summer Research Scholar programme. This scholarship was jointly funded by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), the Department of Conservation (DOC) and Victoria University of Wellington.

My scholarship assisted with research on establishing baseline data on young geospatial professionals in New Zealand and the support mechanisms available to assist their transition from higher education to employment as well as existing young geospatial professionals’ ongoing professional development.    

As a part of this research, I interviewed lecturers at universities and polytechnics in New Zealand that offered a geospatial curriculum, as well as helped design surveys for geospatial organisations and young geospatial professionals themselves. We were interested in the the skills being fostered in young geospatial professionals, what support mechanisms are developing these skills, as well as the desirable attributes and characteristics that make young geospatial professionals employable. The research project builds on previous research by Mairead (see 'Filling the gap: The geospatial skills shortage in New Zealand paperhere) and is directed by the Geospatial Capability Reference Group to understand the support for young professionals entering the geospatial industry in New Zealand.

In the short time that I have been involved with data collection, it has been interesting to see unfold both the connections and disconnections between the responses of stakeholders’ in New Zealand’s geospatial industry, as well as their alignment with literature or distinctive and unique characteristics in departing from the literature.

My participation in the scholarship programme has also allowed me to develop valuable research experience that will assist me in my own Masters research this year. It has also encouraged me to explore my options for advancing my own geospatial education.  

From this experience, I have come to realise the variety of geospatial opportunities available in New Zealand, as well as the significance of expanding training in this area. I can only encourage GIS, as I have done with my sister, friends and summer colleagues, for the opportunities open to members of the geospatial community, its relevance to most professions and growing geospatial capabilities within some organisations.    

MGIS Kaikoura Fieldtrip 2015

After a far too early 4.30am start on Monday, Victoria University's 11 students sailed across the Cook Strait to join AUT and University of Canterbury students at the Kaikoura field station.

Sea view from the field station

The week's field trip introduces students and staff from the three collaborating universities and allows them to get to know each other over the course of an intensive but fun filled week of practical field work and lectures.

UAV {Credit Matt Velde}

This year, Kelvin (GISC 413 lecturer) introduced the students to a range of UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) and worked through data collection implications of this emerging technology.

A UAV selfie: Kelvin and the MGIS students {Credit Kelvin}

Ioannis - a new Canterbury lecturer - presented on his cutting edge research on sensors and their usability.  

Ioannis (GISC 404 lecturer)

The MGIS students also learned about data collection from temperature sensors and managed a quick tramp to Mt Fyffe to collect the sensors from their data collection locations.  The students then analysed the data over the rest of the week.

MGIS students on Mt Fyffe {Credit Matt Velde}

The students return to their universities for the start of the rest of the teaching term on Monday - but have significantly improved their multi-tasking skills...

MGIS students prepping for dinner and working on assessments

And thanks to Keith for supplying the card game on Thursday night!

New paper on setting up the MGIS just out!

Opportunities across boundaries: lessons from a collaboratively delivered cross-institution Master's programme
Mairead de Roiste, Gregory Breetzke and Femke Reitsma

Advances in technology have created opportunities for collaborative multi-institution programme delivery which are increasingly attractive within a constrained financial environment. This paper details the development of a cross-institution collaboratively delivered masters and postgraduate diploma programme in Geographical Information Science in New Zealand. We explore the benefits of such an approach as well as the lessons learnt from its implementation. The recommendations presented will be of interest to teaching faculty considering specialized collaborative programmes as well as more senior staff who are keen to combine institutional resources to meet new and emerging demands for skills.

Paper available at: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03098265.2015.1010145#abstract

Public lectures at VUW: Mapping the World through Time (Julie Sweetkind-Singer) and Mapping texts: Using GIS to understand the geographies in large collections of texts (Ian Gregory)

As part of the Australasian Rare Book Summer School, two free public lectures will be held in Wellington in January 2015, hosted by Victoria University of Wellington and the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand. We hope you can join us!

Mapping the World through Time

Speaker: Julie Sweetkind-Singer, Assistant Director of Geospatial, Cartographic and Scientific Data & Services, Stanford University Libraries

Date: 27 January 2015

Time: 5.30pm-6.30pm

Cost: Free

Location: Tiakiwai (lower ground floor), National Library of New Zealand, Wellington, Aitken Street entrance.

Mapping texts: Using GIS to understand the geographies in large collections of text

Speaker: Ian Gregory, Professor of Digital Humanities, Lancaster University, UK

Date: 29 January 2015

Time: 5.00pm-6.00pm

Cost: Free

Location: Stout Research Centre, Room 203, Victoria University Kelburn campus.

For more information please visit http://wtap.vuw.ac.nz/wordpress/digital-history/rbss-public-lectures/

Happy new year and helpful hints for those writing resolutions

I hope you had a great start to 2015.  I've finally managed to catch up on the MGIS admissions this year and it looks like it's a bumper year for really interested and enthusiastic students.

And just because every post should have a photo...

 

Rory McPherson (MGIS student) and Roger Smith (Geographx) looking at Roger's award winning rock printed map at the Dominion Observatory in the Botanic Gardens, Wellington.

I've also been working though my feedly backlog and found two useful writing resources.

1. Style checks for academic and non fiction writing: https://medium.com/advice-and-help-in-authoring-a-phd-or-non-fiction/top-ten-style-checks-for-phds-or-creative-non-fiction-writers-9ca63542f5d

Particularly good if you need to think about sentence and paragraph construction.

2. How to get published in academia: http://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/jan/03/how-to-get-published-in-an-academic-journal-top-tips-from-editors

Includes hints on dealing with reviewers as well as picking a journal.