Great article. One of the things that I have observed is that in todays society there can be a vast chasm between those that appreciate the potential of the GIS and those who do not. Very often the lines are split between the technologically savvy and the not… and unfortunately often decisions made around GIS and the extent to which it is used or made available to various groups are not in the hands of the well-informed. There needs to be a huge educational drive, workshops, seminars etc to bring the those decision-makers who are missing the point up to speed on the power of GIS.
If you are aware of any persons or organizations specializing such education please post them!
Since you asked for schools, a lot of urban planning schools have GIS as a core element, but to specialize in GIS and related topics, COGS is an excellent school: http://agrg.cogs.nscc.ca/
I find this interesting because here in Milwaukee, WI I’m part of a group that is advocating for standardized access to government data. For example crime statistics but being reported in KML format. Of course the standardization of this type of data allows for it to be used in a variety of ways including GIS mapping applications.
This is a thought-provoking article. GIS clearly has many potential applications in the nonprofit sector. I can think of applications for many organizations I’ve known (but I’m confident that few are using it). It’s practical, cheap to apply and fundable, and should be a growth industry. Which raises questions in my mind of how to bring this to the sector on a large scale. This touches on one of the original sins of the nonprofit structure – it’s well designed to come up with great ideas, but poorly set up to quickly and efficiently bring them to the masses, which means a lot of missed opportunities. GIS technology presents an intriguing opportunity to change that.
One more thought I had when reading the article, is that it’s becoming increasing hard to get lost. Many of my more enlightening experiences have happened while trying to find my coordinates on my own. It’s an art that should not disappear, as I suspect Buckaroo Bonzai and Buddhist sages would agree. I envision GIS units developed specifically for this purpose.
Since you asked for schools, a lot of urban planning schools have GIS as a core element, but to specialize in GIS and related topics, COGS is an excellent school: youtube, izlesene, izle
An innovative, engaging, dialogue-based approach to diversity and inclusion communication and training that provides consistent learning outcomes and a high quality experience in less time. Easily relate diversity and inclusion to the business and to everyday job situations. This learning experience leads to changed thinking and changed behaviors for working productively and respectfully to increase team cooperation, customer satisfaction and productivity. ———————————————————
valrossie
I am part of a group that is advocating for standardized access to government data. For example crime statistics but being reported in KML format. Of course the standardization of this type of data allows for it to be used in a variety of ways including GIS mapping applications.
I have been applying a GIS in a marketing and collaboration process for more than 10 years, aiming to help volunteer-based tutor/mentor programs grow in all high poverty areas of Chicago. With maps we can show indicators of need, for the entire city, such as poverty, poor schools, violence, etc. By collecting data on existing tutor/mentor programs, and sorting that by type of program, age group served, and zip code, we can create map overlays that help people find programs offering specific services, to specific age groups and we can help leaders better understand the availability of such programs in high needs areas.
This then leads to marketing, and advertising, which is intended to draw volunteers and donors to the existing programs, draw programs together to learn, network, and collaborate, and encourage strategic involvement by businesses, faith groups, colleges, hospitals, etc. who have reason to be involved in specific zip codes because they have facilities, or they have customers, or employees live in these areas.
Visit http://tutormentor.blogspot.com and follow the links to see the map gallery, program locator, and many examples of how we are applying GIS thinking and visual communications.
As a small organization, our aim is to empower leaders who take ownership of the goals of helping poor kids get through school and into careers, and who apply their own resources of time, talent, technology and dollars, to make that happen.
I hope to connect with readers who are interested in applying these ideas in their own community, or in the Chicago region.
There needs to be a huge educational drive, workshops, seminars etc to bring the those decision-makers who are missing the point up to speed on the power of GIS.
This well written article by Mr. Manzo should have gone further on not just the benefits, but also the drawbacks or rather dangers it presents. I have some concern on how the technology is being used. [[How will Google influence, for good or ill, their development? (an issue both for those based on Google Maps and those that aren’t)]]
Consider http://www.eightmaps.com/ as example. This GIS mash up was created by an individual who is seriously putting people at risk. Who becomes liable (Google or Individual) when the information created puts people in harms way?
COMMENTS
BY Adriana
ON June 19, 2008 12:52 PM
Great article. One of the things that I have observed is that in todays society there can be a vast chasm between those that appreciate the potential of the GIS and those who do not. Very often the lines are split between the technologically savvy and the not… and unfortunately often decisions made around GIS and the extent to which it is used or made available to various groups are not in the hands of the well-informed. There needs to be a huge educational drive, workshops, seminars etc to bring the those decision-makers who are missing the point up to speed on the power of GIS.
If you are aware of any persons or organizations specializing such education please post them!
Thank you!
BY Don
ON June 19, 2008 01:29 PM
Since you asked for schools, a lot of urban planning schools have GIS as a core element, but to specialize in GIS and related topics, COGS is an excellent school: http://agrg.cogs.nscc.ca/
BY Dave Reid
ON June 20, 2008 10:51 AM
I find this interesting because here in Milwaukee, WI I’m part of a group that is advocating for standardized access to government data. For example crime statistics but being reported in KML format. Of course the standardization of this type of data allows for it to be used in a variety of ways including GIS mapping applications.
BY Scott Schaffer
ON June 22, 2008 10:30 AM
This is a thought-provoking article. GIS clearly has many potential applications in the nonprofit sector. I can think of applications for many organizations I’ve known (but I’m confident that few are using it). It’s practical, cheap to apply and fundable, and should be a growth industry. Which raises questions in my mind of how to bring this to the sector on a large scale. This touches on one of the original sins of the nonprofit structure – it’s well designed to come up with great ideas, but poorly set up to quickly and efficiently bring them to the masses, which means a lot of missed opportunities. GIS technology presents an intriguing opportunity to change that.
One more thought I had when reading the article, is that it’s becoming increasing hard to get lost. Many of my more enlightening experiences have happened while trying to find my coordinates on my own. It’s an art that should not disappear, as I suspect Buckaroo Bonzai and Buddhist sages would agree. I envision GIS units developed specifically for this purpose.
BY aster
ON July 6, 2008 02:43 PM
Since you asked for schools, a lot of urban planning schools have GIS as a core element, but to specialize in GIS and related topics, COGS is an excellent school:
youtube, izlesene, izle
BY Michael
ON September 5, 2008 05:41 PM
-Peter-
Thanks for the great article and interesting links. Here’s another fanastic mapping project to add to the list: HabitatMap, http://habitatmap.org
BY valrossie
ON September 12, 2008 09:35 PM
An innovative, engaging, dialogue-based approach to diversity and inclusion communication and training that provides consistent learning outcomes and a high quality experience in less time. Easily relate diversity and inclusion to the business and to everyday job situations. This learning experience leads to changed thinking and changed behaviors for working productively and respectfully to increase team cooperation, customer satisfaction and productivity.
———————————————————
valrossie
BY estetik
ON October 26, 2008 08:47 AM
I am part of a group that is advocating for standardized access to government data. For example crime statistics but being reported in KML format. Of course the standardization of this type of data allows for it to be used in a variety of ways including GIS mapping applications.
BY Daniel F. Bassill
ON October 30, 2008 07:54 AM
I have been applying a GIS in a marketing and collaboration process for more than 10 years, aiming to help volunteer-based tutor/mentor programs grow in all high poverty areas of Chicago. With maps we can show indicators of need, for the entire city, such as poverty, poor schools, violence, etc. By collecting data on existing tutor/mentor programs, and sorting that by type of program, age group served, and zip code, we can create map overlays that help people find programs offering specific services, to specific age groups and we can help leaders better understand the availability of such programs in high needs areas.
This then leads to marketing, and advertising, which is intended to draw volunteers and donors to the existing programs, draw programs together to learn, network, and collaborate, and encourage strategic involvement by businesses, faith groups, colleges, hospitals, etc. who have reason to be involved in specific zip codes because they have facilities, or they have customers, or employees live in these areas.
Visit http://tutormentor.blogspot.com and follow the links to see the map gallery, program locator, and many examples of how we are applying GIS thinking and visual communications.
We maintain a links library with many other examples, which you can find at http://www.tutormentorconnection.org/LinksLearningNetwork/LinksLibrary/tabid/560/rrcid/13/rrepp/20/Default.aspx
As a small organization, our aim is to empower leaders who take ownership of the goals of helping poor kids get through school and into careers, and who apply their own resources of time, talent, technology and dollars, to make that happen.
I hope to connect with readers who are interested in applying these ideas in their own community, or in the Chicago region.
BY estetik
ON November 7, 2008 07:42 AM
There needs to be a huge educational drive, workshops, seminars etc to bring the those decision-makers who are missing the point up to speed on the power of GIS.
BY american in paris
ON January 15, 2009 04:57 PM
This well written article by Mr. Manzo should have gone further on not just the benefits, but also the drawbacks or rather dangers it presents. I have some concern on how the technology is being used. [[How will Google influence, for good or ill, their development? (an issue both for those based on Google Maps and those that aren’t)]]
Consider http://www.eightmaps.com/ as example. This GIS mash up was created by an individual who is seriously putting people at risk. Who becomes liable (Google or Individual) when the information created puts people in harms way?
BY julia brooke hustwit
ON January 22, 2009 08:35 PM
A blog article I wrote last year about innovative uses of mapping. Your readers may find it interesting. 😊