Use of geographic Information Systems in the Professional Training of University Students Studying Environmental and Geographical Specialties

Abstract

The purpose is the methodological development of a task in the ArcGIS program based on regional scientifi c fi eld material that contributes to the formation of GIS competencies among university students studying environmental and geographical specialties. Materials and methods. The materials for developing the assignment were the author’s data from fi eld scientifi c research conducted in 2016 on the Rybachy and Sredny peninsulas of the Murmansk region, during which cenopopulations of rare plant species were identifi ed. The algorithm for completing the task is based on GIS modeling methods of the study area and geoanalysis in order to determine the mesoclimate of the growing areas of the identifi ed cenopopulations. The testing was carried out on the basis of the Murmansk Arctic State University in a group of environmental students. To assess the success of completing the task, the scoring method was used. Results and discussion. The range of GIS tasks solved during the task includes the GIS operations most in demand by regional employers. The implementation algorithm is accompanied by recommendations for analyzing the resulting map and the factors infl uencing the formation of the mesoclimate. It was revealed that students relatively easily master the program interface and simple operations; it is more diffi cult to master the transformation of geoimages and selecting the degree of transparency of layers for their correct refl ection in the overlay. Conclusions. Completing the task contributes to the development of GIS competencies. The fi nal average score ranges from 85 to 94.