Gis-related Web Engineering as Topic and Tool in E-learning

In the last few years, map viewers like Google Maps, Microsoft Live Search Maps and Open Street Map as well as virtual earth viewers like Google Earth and Microsoft Virtual Earth had an important impact on the development and dissemination of Internetbased GIS applications. Therefore, there is a vital need for knowledge about the techniques required for exploiting and developing such applications. The e-learning module “Web Engineering in the Geoinformatics” offers an unbiased introduction into this field. The module was developed within the current project “FerGI+” (Fernstudienmaterialien Geoinformatik; English: distance learning material for geoinformatics) for teaching students of geoinformatics, geodesy, geography and environmental sciences in a blended learning scenario as well as for participants of further education programs. It covers technologies like the Google Maps API, AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML), the OpenLayers API, OGC KML and SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics). The e-learning material is provided via HTML and a Moodle e-learning platform. The use of HTML allows a direct integration and visualization of the presented technologies into the e-learning material. The code required for the integration of a Google Maps or an OpenLayers application into a web page can be presented together with the resulting live map. An effective learning process demands changing between gaining new competences and using them in exercises in a high frequency. For this purpose, the students can modify given JavaScript functions within the HTML pages in order to work out the presented content. If it is done correctly, the resulting maps or SVG images are immediately visualized.