The following workshops tentatively have been scheduled to date:
Abstract: This workshop presents components of graphic design that underlie static and dynamic mapping. Part of the workshop will alternate lecture format and open discussion. The first half will focus on visual variables and principles of visual balance, symmetry, and optical illuisons that can be created inadvertently in the course of designing GIS graphical displays. The second half will focus on computer map animations, with presentation of several examples from various geographic animations. Discussions will be directed toward not only the principles of graphic design, but also to guidlelines for how to present such material in an educational setting, and what kinds of lab exrecises might accompany such lectures. Example exercises will be shown. Handouts for those interested in preparing similar lectures for their own classes (or simply to summarize what's been said at the workshop) will be made available. The animations to be demonstrated will be made available via anoymous ftp for workshop participants.
Abstract:
The rapid diffusion and adoption of GIS has stimulated debate and controversy
about a range of societal and environmental impacts. In this workshop we first
consider critical 'GIS and Society' concerns including: 1) the surveillant society
and political economy of information; 2) epistemologies of GIS; 3) multiple
realities of landscape and GIS representations; and 4) ethical issues associated
with GIS adoption. The workshop then explores prospects for alternative GIS
production and use. Finally, we explore these social and environmental issues
in a case study from South Africa in which GIS as a vehicle for the integration
of nature and society is examined.
Abstract:
This workshop will present some ideas and resources being developed as part
of a three year project to improve teaching and learning about urban landscapes
and environments, human and physical, at the undergraduate college level.
Funded by the U.S. Department of Education (Fund for the Improvement of
Post-Secondary Education program), this UrbanWorld project is building a
learning environment based on a geographic information system and digital
geographic database foundation. Implemented as an ArcViewTM application,
UrbanWorld includes a customized graphic user interface, tools for student
and faculty to manage resources, undertake or evaluate assignments, tools for
spatial reasoning, and a substantial knowledge-base of learning aids,
examples of good cartographic practice, etc. The workshop will demonstrate
the major elements of the UrbanWorld toolbox and the nature of the digital
geographic database being created for the Washington metropolis. Offered in
conjunction with the plenary session paper on the same subject, the workshop is
designed to foster discussion about the UCGIS Education Committee's white
paper on Learning with GIS. The workshop is oriented to both college faculty
teaching thematic courses in geography or other fields and to specialists
in geographic information science, in the interest of obtaining suggestions for
the effective design and devlopment of a pedagogically-oriented geographic
information system.
Abstract:
Mobile mapping is an emerging technology for the collection of geographic
information. It typically involves a moving platform upon which sensor and
measurement systems have been integrated to provide very accurate, near-
continuous postioning of the platform's path in space and geospatial data
collected by the on-board sensors. Most existing mobile mapping systems
(MMS) combine Global Positioning System (GPS), Inertial Navigation System
(INS), and other sensors such as digital cameras in a small truck or airplane.
One commercially viable MMS is the GPSVanTM. This system was developed
at The Ohio State University Center for Mapping and demonstrates the maturity
of mobile mapping technology. A more advanced MMS, known as the Airborne
Integrated mapping System (or AIMS), is presently under development. AIMS
combines GPS and INS positioning and digital imaging teechnologies to provide
real-time mapping capabilities well suited to a wide range of large-scale and
urban geographic information applications.
Abstract:
This workshop addresses the question: what are the image analysis strategies for
extracting useful information from remote sensing data? I will review five types
of methods:
Image classification and pixel decomposition
Linear feature extraction
Prediction models based on statistical regression
Radiative transfer models and their inversion
3D coordinate determination and morphological analysis
I will first present an overview on recent developments in earth observation
technologies including the federal and commercial satellite programs and
developments of airbourne digital photography. I will then use examples to
introduce a non-standard image classification method that holds potential in
better land-cover and land-use mapping; the use of linear spectral unmixing
to obtain subpixel information and enhance images; a gradient profile analysis
method for road network mapping; some methods based on statistical analysis
of hyperspectral images for biophysical parameter extraction such as forest leaf
area index estimation; and the implications of a new concept photo ecometrics.
Abstract:
Given the need to deepen our knowledge of the usefulness of geographic
information systems, the workshop is designed to review some of the current
techniques for the analysis of data stored in a GIS. The only prerequisite
needed is a basic (course) understanding of statistics. Methods demonstrated
include exploratory and visualization techniques, K functions for pattern
analysis, space-time clustering, variograms and kriging, and spatial regression
techniques including global and local analysis. Examples include the study of
land cover distributions (remotely sensed data), disease patterns over time and
space, spatial interaction, and the reliable spatial interpolation of climatic and
elevation data.
Abstract:
Use and analysis of spatial data require careful attention to accuracy, since any
digital representation is at best an approximation of ground truth. This workshop
will begin with an overview of the accuracy issue for various classes of geodata.
Error models will be introduced, with associated measures and parameters of
accuracy. Currently implemented capabilites in GIS and related software will
be reviewed, along with methods for propagating uncertainty from database to
analysis products. The presentation will review existing and proposed standards
for geodata quality, methods for visualizing data quality, and research on the
implications of spatial data quality for decision making.
Abstract:
Several elegant techniques from Computational Geometry provide efficient
and robust algorithms to drive a geographic information system. Spatial data
structures work hand in hand with appropriate geometric algorithms to permit
rapid spatial queries and systematic local processing of neighborhood operations.
I will present a sampler of tools for geometric computation that are part of our
department's new GIS core curriculum at OSU:
I will describe in detail the plane sweep algorithm used to build topology; I will
analyze its complexity; and I will define and then point out the utility and advan-
tages of using priority queues implemented as binary heaps as one of the two key
data structures used in sweep algorithms.
I will discuss alternative ways to build Delaunay triangulations and to utilize some
of their key properties; and I will examine the complexity of randomized techniques.
I will illustrate the important Union-Find Data Structure/Algorithm interaction
in building a Euclidean minimum spanning tree with Kruskal's Algorithm.
Abstract:
TUTORIAL DESCRIPTION
The ability to deal with spatial data is becoming increasingly important in applications in geographic information systems, computer vision, computer graphics, computer vision, image processing, solid modeling, robotics, and cartography. This manifests itself in the need to incorporate this data in existing database management systems. This incorporation must result in the coexistence of the spatial data with the non-spatial data. The result is termed a spatial database. Spatial databases must deal with points, lines, rectangles, regions, surfaces, volumes, and other geometric data, as well as time and non-geometric data (known as attribute data). The implementation of spatial databases involves many issues including a choice among a number of different representations for the underlying data, as well as the types of queries to be supported, In this tutorial we review some of these issues. Particular attention will be paid to the most recent representations and the type of operations that they are designed to support. Many of our examples will be drawn from a family of hierarchical data structures that are based on the principle of divide-and-conquer. The key advantage of these representations is that they provide a way to index into space. In fact, they are little more than multidimensional sorts. They are compact and depending on the nature of the spatial data they save space as well as time and also facilitate operations such as search. A live demonstration will be given of a spatial database management system that employs these concepts.
OUTLINE
1. General Issues
a. why do we want a database
b. integration of traditional data with nontraditional data
c. long fields
d. analogy to points in higher dimensional space
e. indexes to facilitate retrieval
f. what attributes should be sorted
g. should we sort on a combination of attributes
h. how to incorporate the index
i. data modeling
j. identification of the possible queries
k. how to interact with the database
l. how to answer a query that mixes traditional
with nontraditional data
2. Spatial Databases
a. data in spatial databases
b. discrete spatial data versus non-spatial data
c. what makes continuous spatial data different
d. sorting on the basis of spatial occupancy
i. minimum bounding boxes (e.g., R-trees)
ii. disjoint cells (e.g., R+-trees)
iii. uniform gridiv. quadtreesv. pyramids
e. classes of queries
f. sample queries on spatial objects
g. architecture of spatial database systems
3. Representing Spatial Data
a. Points
b. Lines
c. Rectangles
d. Regions
e. Surfaces
f. Volumes
g. Temporal data
4. Operations
a. Set operations
b. Spatial selection (windowing)
c. Spatial range queries
d. Spatial join
e. Neighbor finding
f. Nearest object location
g. Connected component labeling
5. Issues in Spatial Databases
Abstract:
The technical characteristics of the major global positioning satellite systems,
the US supported GPS and the Russian GLONASS system, will be provided. The
role of both systems in the future GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System),
which is likely to contain INMARSAT and other geostationary satellite layers to
enhance comunication with users, will be discussed. Special emphasis will be on
differential correction for achieving real-time differential positioning. Other
topics include the role of the Internet, economics, national policy, and national
security in the management of the global technical system.
Abstract:
How do people think about geographic space? Is geographic space just like the
space on a table-top, only larger? Or, do people reason in and about geographic
space, geographic objects, and geographic processes in ways that are different
from dealing with table-top situations? And, are there cultural differences in conceptualizations of geographic space? This workshop will review current
models of spatial cognition, including perception, reasoning, and memory. Then,
since most previous work has dealt with relatively small spaces, the workshop
will examine which parts of these models can be expected to apply to geographic
cognition, which might not, and what differences have been established or can be
anticipated. Some of this will be covered in a review of "common sense geography"
or "naive geography". The workshop also will review methods and research
paradigms for studying spatial and geographic cognition and its implications,
including experiments, language studies, and simulation.
Abstract:
This hands-on computer workshop co-sponsored by the Federal Geographic
Data Committee and the College of the Atlantic will provide introductory
training for participants in the creation of a distributed Internet-based
clearinghouse for geographic data. The following topics will be covered:
(1) The Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata, (2) tools for
creation of metadata, (3) creation and parsing of metadata records for
sample data sets, (4) the Z39.50 search and retrieval protocol, (5) installation
and configuring of Isite software, (6) indexing and serving metadata records,
(7) registration of servers. Participants should bring sample data sets to
document and serve online.