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Efficient Use of Technology in Fieldwork

Explore equipment, ergonomics, and display concerns for utilizing technology in fieldwork. Learn about ruggedized GeoPad Tablet PCs, ergonomics for comfort and safety, daylight viewable displays, screen size relevance, memory, wireless connectivity, and more.

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Efficient Use of Technology in Fieldwork

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  1. Using Information Technologyin the Field Peter Knoop University of Michigan Sakai Foundation / School of Information / Department of Geological Sciences

  2. Using Information Technologyin the Field • Equipping Yourself • Examples • Field Mapping • Mobile Classroom • Feedback

  3. Equipment:Hardware, Software, and Logistics • Geopad and GeoPocket • Not products, just short-hand • Tablet PC and Pocket PC GeoPadis short-hand for a field-durable Tablet PC equipped with Geographic Information System (GIS) software, Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, wireless networking, electronic notebook and other pertinent hardware and software.

  4. Durability:Ruggedized versus Consumer • Water-proof! • Dust-proof ! • Drop-proof! (resistant?) • Screen – weak-point • “None of the above” • Overheats in cases • Not bright enough • Inexpensive!

  5. GeoPad Tablet PCs • Panasonic CF-19 • Getac V100 • Xplore iX104C4 • Other options? (Non-ruggedized but outdoor viewable) • Fujitsu (OtterBox for semi-ruggedizing) • HP 2710p (no ruggedizing option yet) • (GeoPockets – Pocket PCs – HP iPAQs, etc.)

  6. Ergonomics:Comfort, Convenience and Safety • Slate versus Convertible Tablet PCs • Converting in field versus at camp • Learn how to use the pen! • Use the rest of the year? • External USB Keyboard • More flexibility for touch-typists • Practical Experiences • Slates more durable • Convertibles easier to utilize year-round • Useful life-cycle of ruggedized much longer

  7. Ergonomics:Comfort, Convenience and Safety • Hands-free harness • Avoid opportunities to drop it • Out of the way when necessary • No easy one-size solution • Integrate with student’s backpack

  8. Ergonomics:Comfort, Convenience and Safety • Cables • Avoid entanglement • Leverage operating system capabilities • left-hand vs. right-hand configuration • screen calibration • accessibility features

  9. Daylight Viewable Displays • Need to be able to see in direct sunlight • Not quite there yet? (Bright desert sun…) • Things that can help • Position body to block or reflect • Adjust contrast or color scheme of aerial photos

  10. Screen Size • Tablet PC vs. Pocket PC screen • Screen real estate is key for those developing spatial reasoning, not so important for those that already have such skills. • What is the goal of your exercise and what skills are involved? • Spatial-reasoning? • Point-based data collection and simple trending?

  11. geopad.org

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  14. Screen Orientation • Landscape • Portrait • Easy to switch, really just a personal preference

  15. The Stylus • Erasers are convenient and intuitive! • Not necessarily ruggedized • Tether? • Left-handed and Right-handed • Dual-mode Screens: the stylus and touch together

  16. Memory • 1GB RAM Minimum Recommended (2007) • Key to smooth application switching, and uninterrupted thinking and learning experience

  17. Disk • Generally large amounts unnecessary • One project at a time • Not long-term repositories

  18. Wireless: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Cellular • Reduces battery life • What are your goals? • Data distribution and backup • Collaboration (Mobile classroom) using networking in the field or between vehicles • Cable-less external GPS units • Internet access in field

  19. Ports • Minimize use for safety; consider wireless alternatives • Protective covers can break-off • Ruggedized ports; peripherals with proprietary connectors can be expensive

  20. Cameras • What are you using it for? • Documentation • Collaboration • Microscope • External - more charging, wireless connectivity to avoid cable • Integrated - no cabling, may be awkward to point where needed

  21. GPS • Internal versus External – very similar in precision and accuracy these days • External needs charging • External needs cable (wireless preferred, but drains batteries faster) • Internal more likely to be ruggedized

  22. Data Backup (and Distribution) • USB flash drives • Wireless network • Only need to focus on critical information (student work) • NetSupport

  23. Configuration Management • Easily restore a computer to a known state • Set-up a unit with everything you want • Takes 15-20 minutes to restore image • Can do in the field (w/ cross-over cable) • Symantec Ghost, Microsoft Sysprep • What’s already in use locally? • Rely on your tech staff’s preferences or existing university licensing options

  24. Batteries and Power • Long-life batteries; fewer things to charge • Battery calibration, if only in-use occasionally • External battery chargers • Charge while in the field • Charge multiple batteries • Generator (and gas can, extension cords, power strips) • Ultra-quiet • Electronic Equipment sensitive

  25. Printer • What are your goals? • Ruggedized printer? • Interpreted survey data for reference • Large-format size • Water-proof paper

  26. IT Security • Will you be “on the net”? • Virus Scan software, firewalls, etc. • Use accounts and passwords • Don’t cut corners!

  27. Leverage Local Expertise • Will you have IT support or are you on your own? • What is your support staff comfortable with? • What educational discounts do you already have for hardware? • What software is already licensed to your University? • GeoPad Community Email List (geopad@umich.edu)

  28. Course Focus and Pre-requisites • Spectrum of approaches • Geology and already know GIS • Geology and teach GIS • Geology and GIS as black-box • Key factors to consider • Educational Goals • Instructor Background and Skills • Student Background and Skills

  29. GIS Software • ESRI ArcGIS and ArcPad • Other GIS options? (MapIt!, microDEM) • Compelling reason not to give student experience with industry “standard”? • What are your educational goals?

  30. Learning GIS and Geology • Create an ArcMap project • Gathering data • Generating data • Clipping data • Personal geodatabase • Sub-Types • Feature Classes • Symbology • Contact Mapping • Snap-to-feature • building polygons from contacts • Structural Data (e.g., strike-and-dip) • Fault • Observation Point

  31. Black-box GIS and Learning Geology • Instructor creates ArcMap (and ArcScene) project • Customize and simplify interface for students  • Domains • Base Heights • Linking to notes and photos • Outcrop mapping • Mapping with polygons • Final map • Arcmap and ArcScene together • Survey Mapping (Magnetics, Gravity) • Sketch Mapping

  32. geopad.org

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  34. Non-GIS Software Examples • OneNote – note taking • ArcScene/iView3D/Pokescope – 3D visualization • ArcSketch • Stereonet • NetSupport - collaboration • Word – reports • Excel - modeling • General (email, web browsing, digital photography, etc.) – gain familiarity with technology

  35. geopad.org

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  44. Stereo 3-D in the Field… …with ArcScene andPokescope. geopad.org

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  46. Mobile Classroom “Shared-pointer” CB Audio Students still need down-time Collaborative Activities geopad.org

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