EARTHUSE Classroom Case Study

EARTHUSE Introduction to Relational Data

A model is a theme, and ideology, a vehicle, or a mechnism that serves as the representational educational structure for GIS application processes. Models are usually represented graphically and organize or represent the linear processes and technical GIS procedures. There is no correct way or best way to describe the modeling organizational process, because it is evolutionary in structure and progressive in form. The typical moment that precipitates the need to develop a model begins...I have this information ...and I have these questions that need immediate answers...How do I get there from here?... What do I do?

A process model begins with what do I need to know, and then organizes the information (data), the process, the questions, and answers. The major difficulty for beginnning students is posing a specific question (querry) or asking the relevant question.

Structuring the Question

Using the seating location diagram (below right), and (data) from the "grade book" ..., The assignment is to identify and code the seating location for students according to the criteria in Question 1-12. Color code the specific locations for each Question, and create a suitable descriptive attribute legend for each. Of course, hundreds of simple and complex questions could be asked, here are "just a few" good examples.

Question 1 Where do the male students sit?

Question 2 Where do the female students sit?

Question 3 Where do the 20 year old students sit?

Question 4 Where do the "A" students sit?

Question 5 Where do the "C" students sit?

0	0	20	11	0	24	0
10	44	12	19	4	0	8
42	30	3	14	43	21	34
26	23	38	27	2	15	9
7	32	1	16	40	5	28
17	6	29	36	25	22	41
18	31	37	13	33	39	35

The following questions include two simultaneous queries (and a few examples have more).
Refer to the Classroom Attribute Table. Use your Back Button to Return Here!
Questions 6-12, you must create your own seating location worksheets.

Question 6 Where do young male students sit?
(Age 19 to 22) and (Male)

Question 7 Where do young female students sit?
(Age 18 to 23) and (Female)

Question 8 Locate female students that scored "90" or above?
(Female) and (Scored 90 to 100)

Question 9 Locate male students, born in July, that failed Quiz #1?
(Male) and (July DOB) and (Scored < "70")

Question 10 Present simultaneous locations for the A, B, C, and D students' cumulative score average. (A=90-100, B=80-89, C=70-79, and D=60-69).

Question 11 Present locations of female students, under 25 years of age, that scored 80 to 85 on the midterm, but greater than 90 on their average quiz scores.

Question 12 Present male students with a zodiac sign of Leo, 22 to 25 years of age, that failed one quiz, and scored 85 to 90 on the midterm examination.

Each Question is important to understanding the relationship between tabular data and spatial data. Take the time to actually color code all the Questions!

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