USING TABLETS TO DISRUPT A FIELD METHODS COURSE

The Field Methods course at Alfred University has been expanded to utilize tablet computers for data acquisition in the field. For a breadth of experience, students were introduced to PDF Maps and ArcGIS Collector on both iPad 2’s and Nexus 7’s. To simulate real field conditions the devices were operated without internet/data connections during data acquisition. Data was uploaded to a central repository once back in the classroom.

The presentation will have three primary components. The data acquisition workflows for both PDF Maps and ArcGIS Collector will be demonstrated on a tablet, technical details and lessons learned will be reviewed, and the subject of disruption will be examined. The new course's data/software/hardware/web requirements created substantial pre and post processing demands on the instructors, raising the question: ‘Who is the course disrupting?’