The Geographer Tool Box - Educational Web Site Dalit Gasul Department of Geography University of Haifa University of Haifa Dalit Gasul Department of Geography University of Haifa University of Haifa

Project Objectives To create a “ tool box ” for geographers that would categorize and arrange basic concepts, glossary, models and formulas for the use of students of all degrees and stages, teachers, researchers and amateur geographers. To create a “ tool box ” for geographers that would categorize and arrange basic concepts, glossary, models and formulas for the use of students of all degrees and stages, teachers, researchers and amateur geographers. To create a Hebrew “ gate of knowledge ” in various fields of Geography for the purpose of searching relevant data in on- line information- bases and search engines by defining focused key words. To create a Hebrew “ gate of knowledge ” in various fields of Geography for the purpose of searching relevant data in on- line information- bases and search engines by defining focused key words.

Motivations Lack of Hebrew geographic information web sites is the primary motivation for the current proposal. Lack of Hebrew geographic information web sites is the primary motivation for the current proposal. The interdisciplinary, complex and derivative nature of Geography requires geographers, especially students, to master a great variety of concepts and expertise in the various branches of Geography. The interdisciplinary, complex and derivative nature of Geography requires geographers, especially students, to master a great variety of concepts and expertise in the various branches of Geography.

Motivations Swift introduction of new curricula based on internet- technologies, such as web- based learning and Distance Education. Swift introduction of new curricula based on internet- technologies, such as web- based learning and Distance Education. The “Information Highway”, which creates an obstacle for students, due to their lack of expertise in sorting the information by quality, reliability and relevance. This brings up the need to develop focused search by geographical key- words, in order to produce relevant information from various information sources. The “Information Highway”, which creates an obstacle for students, due to their lack of expertise in sorting the information by quality, reliability and relevance. This brings up the need to develop focused search by geographical key- words, in order to produce relevant information from various information sources.

Innovative aspects of the proposal By proposing to develop a Hebrew web site for Geographers to consolidate data that has been edited and reviewed by academic faculty this project is innovative in its field. By proposing to develop a Hebrew web site for Geographers to consolidate data that has been edited and reviewed by academic faculty this project is innovative in its field. There is no Hebrew site available today to organize basic concepts of Geography in the wider sense on a high academic level. There is no Hebrew site available today to organize basic concepts of Geography in the wider sense on a high academic level.

Project participant list and roles Project Coordinator: Mrs. Dalit Gasul Technical Team Scientific Team Technical Assistant Graphic Designer Scientific Editors: Dr. Ammatzia Peled Mrs. Dalit Gasul Research Assistants: Anat Yahav- Zafrani Sharon Wise

work plan Stage 1- Mapping and evaluation of the Cartography and Mapping “ Tool Box ” components. Definition of the concepts, formulas, models, skills and tools that need to be included in the site. Stage 1- Mapping and evaluation of the Cartography and Mapping “ Tool Box ” components. Definition of the concepts, formulas, models, skills and tools that need to be included in the site. Stage 2- Establishing the framework and basic format of the site, including definition of the graphic interface of the site and building high quality graphic templates in HighLearn environment. Stage 2- Establishing the framework and basic format of the site, including definition of the graphic interface of the site and building high quality graphic templates in HighLearn environment. Stage 3- Developing basic and general tools:Search tools;Online list of recommended literature for Cartography; Educational software for learning Cartographic measuring instruments and skills (maximum of five modules). Stage 3- Developing basic and general tools:Search tools;Online list of recommended literature for Cartography; Educational software for learning Cartographic measuring instruments and skills (maximum of five modules). Stage 4- Collecting and editing Cartography and Mapping data: a glossary of terms, basic concepts and models, links to preferred sites and key- words for focused search in databases of the subject. The data will be prepared and edited by the scientific editors, assisted by research assistants. Stage 4- Collecting and editing Cartography and Mapping data: a glossary of terms, basic concepts and models, links to preferred sites and key- words for focused search in databases of the subject. The data will be prepared and edited by the scientific editors, assisted by research assistants. Stage 5- Uploading subject contents into the site templates. Stage 5- Uploading subject contents into the site templates. Stage 6- Publishing the site and receiving feedback, improvements and corrections from the Geographic academic community in Israel. Stage 6- Publishing the site and receiving feedback, improvements and corrections from the Geographic academic community in Israel.

Project framework Site Environment

HighLearn portal –”Virtual Haifa”

The advantages of HighLearn environment: The software already exists and works in the University of Haifa, including servers and support systems. The software already exists and works in the University of Haifa, including servers and support systems. The software is well known and has been purchased by other universities in Israel. The software is well known and has been purchased by other universities in Israel. The software is relatively easy to operate. The software is relatively easy to operate. The software includes a built- in key- words search engine. The software includes a built- in key- words search engine. The software has been successfully tested in about 150 course- sites at the University of Haifa. The software has been successfully tested in about 150 course- sites at the University of Haifa. The site will be developed in Hebrew and will be available on the net without password restrictions.

Project framework Site Design and components

Geographers Tool Box Search Engine Geographi c Fields General Tools Cartography Key WordsLinksFormulasGlossary of Terms

General Tools How to search the web Self Learning educational computer programs Self Learning educational computer programs for MS Office software On- line list of recommended books Educational software for learning geographic field measuring instruments and skills

Geographic Fields Key Words Links Formulas Glossary of Terms Cartography

מערכת קואורדינטות מערכת בעלת כל המרכיבים הדרושים על מנת לאתר מיקום במרחב דו או תלת ממדי, הכוללת מוצא, סוג של יחידת מרחק ושני צירים. רוב מערכות הקואורדינטות הנן קרטזיות : הצירים הנם אורתוגונליים ( ניצבים זה לזה ) והיחידות זהות על גבי כל הצירים. החריגה העיקרית הינה מערכת הקואורדינטות הספרית ( הכדורית ) של קווי הרוחב וקווי האורך. מקורות מקורות למונח באנגלית למונח באנגלית מילות מפתח מילות מפתח ראה גם.. ראה גם.. אתרי אינטרנט אתרי אינטרנט מערכת בעלת כל המרכיבים הדרושים על מנת לאתר מיקום במרחב דו או תלת ממדי, הכוללת מוצא, סוג של יחידת מרחק ושני צירים. רוב מערכות הקואורדינטות הנן קרטזיות : הצירים הנם אורתוגונליים ( ניצבים זה לזה ) והיחידות זהות על גבי כל הצירים. החריגה העיקרית הינה מערכת הקואורדינטות הספרית ( הכדורית ) של קווי הרוחב וקווי האורך. מקורות מקורות למונח באנגלית למונח באנגלית מילות מפתח מילות מפתח ראה גם.. ראה גם.. אתרי אינטרנט אתרי אינטרנט

Project stages accomplished Collection of Self Learning for basic computer skills: MS Office software, searching skills Collection of Self Learning for basic computer skills: MS Office software, searching skills Glossary of terms Glossary of terms On-Line book list On-Line book list Self Learning modules for Basic cartography skills – Completed: Total Station, Map scale Self Learning modules for Basic cartography skills – Completed: Total Station, Map scale in progress: Azimuth, Map orientation, compass in progress: Azimuth, Map orientation, compass

Further development Establishing the framework and basic format of the site, including definition of the graphic interface of the site and building high quality graphic templates in HighLearn environment. Establishing the framework and basic format of the site, including definition of the graphic interface of the site and building high quality graphic templates in HighLearn environment. Uploading of data to the site. Uploading of data to the site. Publishing the site – April Publishing the site – April 2003.