The Use of Internet-Based GIS Resources to Increase Conceptual Understanding of Hydrologic Systems In Low-Income, Middle School Students

Complex Earth systems, such as hydrologic systems, can be challenging for middle school students to accurately understand. Factors such as the exchange of material across boundaries (e.g., ground water and surface water), the variety of relationships between the physical, biological, chemical, and anthropogenic system components, and the spatial scale and temporal frequency of the associated interactions are characteristics that can cause learning difficulties to students. In order to support student understanding of hydrologic systems, this research focused on implementing student directed inquiry experiences that incorporated technology. Specifically, the research study used an internet-based ArcIMS™(ESRI) map program to increase low-income students' conceptual understanding of the relationships that can occur between surface water and groundwater. Students explored the possible interactions of environmental and/or human factors found within their local area watershed in order to facilitate critical thinking and a comprehensive understanding the watershed. Two Science classes were used in the intervention. One Science class (GIS group) used the ArcIMS™(ESRI) internet based GIS technology and the other class (non-GIS group) investigated general water resources through more traditional printed materials. A pre-post concept mapping assessment was used to determine students' conceptual understanding of the relationships that can occur between surface water and groundwater. Numerical data based on concept map frequency count “scores” (number of components and relationships in ratio format) was used to determine the complexity of students' understanding (relationships/ components). A paired Students' t-test showed that there was a significant (ρ < 0.05) gain in complexity within the GIS group, while the non-GIS group did not show a significant ((ρ > 0.05) gain in complexity. Based on these results, the students using the internet-based mapping system to explore relationships between surface water and groundwater were able to create a more accurate and complex conceptual understanding of this topic.