Open source GIS for geological field mapping: research and teaching experience

Abstract

The journey to digital field mapping in the geosciences academic world is far from ending. When it started some years ago, many geoscientists were skeptical about the use of digital tools in the field. Nowadays, the work done in this decade shows clearly that this will be the way of working in the future. The traditional way of mapping can be incorporated and improved in the digital survey. Many of the previously existing limitations have been surmounted. Part of this process is possible thanks to the choice of open source tools.

Digital fieldwork with Fieldmove - how do digital tools influence geoscience students’ learning experience in the field?

“…Digital tools in geoscience field work A growing body of literature reports on the implementation of digital tools in geological fieldwork (House et al, 2013;McCaffrey et al, 2005;Pavlis, Langford, Hurtado, & Serpa, 2010), and in teaching of geoscience in the field (e.g. De Donatis, Alberti, Cesarini, Menichetti, & Susini, 2016;Menking & Stewart, 2007;Senger & Nordmo, in press;Swanson & Bampton, 2009;Walker & Black, 2000;Whitmeyer, 2012). Pavlis et al (2010, p. 275) for example states that "Paper-based geologic mapping is now Archaic [.…”

“…]", and the literature on teaching field geology echoes this in stressing the importance of students learning digital field skills to prepare them for future geoscience jobs. In many instances the digital fieldwork is built around a GIS (Geographical Information System) program such as ArcGIS or QGIS, run on a portable device (De Donatis et al, 2016;Whitmeyer, 2012). In terms of field teaching, most reports are positive in the sense that students self-report that they appreciate the digital tools.…”