IMPROVING THE PREPARATION FOR FIELDWORK WITH IT - 2 EXAMPLES FROM PHYSICAL-GEOGRAPHY

Two potential roles for information technology (IT) to enhance the pre paration phase for fieldwork are investigated. In the first initiative , a prototype geographical information system (GIS) is developed to su pport local fieldwork activity. The second initiative develops compute r-based briefing tutorials to prepare students for residential field c lasses. By enhancing the preparatory phase of fieldwork, students are more quickly acclimatised once they arrive at the field site, they are better able to focus on the key issues, and valuable time in the fiel d can be utilised more effectively.