Sessions were devoted to terminology, reliability, the role of visual perception, geographical education, and cartogram representations.
By considering a range of data sources during initial compilation the reliability of maps can be enhanced. The impact of GIS and multi-attribute spatial databases means that a full picture of the environment can be built up. Carto- graphers preparing representations of the natural landscape can use socio-economic data to inform and perhaps update their maps; those preparing census maps can use satellite remote sensing data to assist in obtaining an overall picture of their subject.
Mapping the Totality As there arises a new generation of map users raised in the digital era, there comes a renewed need to examine the perception of the map image. These maps, along with other more standard representations of socio-economic data, should be thoroughly examined at school level, where up to now the emphasis has been on maps of the environment, topography and physical landscape.
The meeting further considered how one could map the totality of the social, economic and demographic characteristics of a complete country. The complicated combination of features and issues which together make up a national culture need to be carefully analysed and compiled if a true picture of the nation is to emerge.
This orientation could be a major impediment to useful research. Turning to the evaluation of content and quality, VGI has been termed asserted information, to contrast it with the authority of traditional sources. While mapping agencies have developed elaborate mechanisms for quality control and assessment, the quality of VGI remains very much an open research issue although in other areas of volunteered information, such as Wikipedia, some preliminary research results are now available, e.
Researchers working on this topic need to develop ways for educated citizens to produce not only volunteered geographical information but also volunteered geographical analysis. Given existing perspectives and methods, the geographical sciences could develop rubrics to assess and evaluate the quality of VGI i. For example, Flanagin and Metzger discuss 1 emerging analyses and rubrics for geographical training and education of novices by experts; 2 assessment of the notoriety of systems such as the level of trust users now have in Wikipedia, Google Earth, Citizendium, etc.
Researchers could investigate the thematic limits of VGI i. Discussions of neogeography and of what can be achieved today by citizen mappers rarely include the issue of the digital divide—the sharp contrast between those with effective access to digital technology and those with limited or no access. Moreover the divide is growing, as certain groups acquire more and more technology and others continue with nothing.
Since the proliferation of VGI could exacerbate the digital divide, it is important to understand better whether, and where, this might happen e. In the free-for-all atmosphere of the Internet, it is easy to forget the impediments to accessing geographical data and tools. GIS software can be expensive and far beyond the resources of many.
In other cases, governments actively seek to keep geographical technologies out of the reach of groups of people. We need to understand how spatial knowledge is shaped. Research in this vein will help us understand how we need to alter community planning paradigms and decision-making practices in order to more fully realize the potential of VGI, without exacerbating the digital divide.
For example, to what extent does the digital divide influence citizen participation? Addressing these issues will require collaboration with the open-source software community, as it 1 already understands the relationships between security, privacy, functionality and freedom Peterson, , 2 is beginning to understand and implement the principle of developing software that is both citizen controlled, yet privacy oriented Peterson, , and 3 is often committed to closing the digital divide.
Even as geographical technologies are enabling positive aspects of citizen mapping such as VGI, they also appear to be among those opening society up to a new kind of surveillance in the mapping of citizens Pickles, ; Monmonier, As an example, Elwood cites www. Richards reports that various shopping centers in the United Kingdom are now using the cell phone signals of customers to monitor which stores people visit and how long they stay there.
Yang et al. Such a system makes use of the existing Wi-Fi connections and Internet protocols already at play within a home network of PCs, printers, phones, TVs, and networked stereos. However, as highlighted by Claburn , such systems also raise privacy issues. How will datasets be protected? Who will have access to them? And what will prevent them from being stolen or even subpoenaed? These questions point to the need for research into how new forms of knowledge production and access may affect privacy and facilitate new forms of surveillance Elwood, The core assumption of the LBS industry is that corporations will own and control locational information about their individual customers.
This assumption leads to different technical challenges and research questions for situations involving both the public and private sectors Raper et al. Bringing together large amounts of high quality, geospacial information is one thing, but how might we also integrate the lived experience of people on the ground, what they care about and know to be happening minute by minute?
It involves real-time, two-way communication with everyday people so they can participate in design solutions that meet everyday needs. Used in this way, social mapping provides a means to lift up the power of local and contextualised knowledge. Social mapping is making visible what has been invisible for a very long time i. It helps us understand histories and our sense of connection with them, and provides perspectives on the future. We would love to know what you think of the Ten Trends and invite you to join the discussion on our community site - edSpace.
Note: To contribute to this discussion you will need to signup to edSpace and join the Ten Trends group. They build mapping and spatial analytics software to enhance learning in schools. We love technology and advancements in cartography and location-based data continue to deepen our understanding of where we are. This is, however, very much an argument that no matter how far technology advances, GPS will never replace maps because of the limitations we mentioned above.
The robot voice may get you from A to B, but maps will get you much further. Remember me Log in. Lost your password? Posted on July 25, April 22, by Mariana Dorbecker. Are maps even useful anymore? Nautical Charts. Wall Maps. City Prints Maps.
Travel Maps. Map Accessories. Classroom Maps.
0コメント