TITLE:
Teaching Spatial Science Courses in Public Universities in Tanzania: Challenges and Opportunities
AUTHORS:
Emiliana John Mwita
KEYWORDS:
GIS; Remote Sensing; Learning; Obstacles
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geographic Information System,
Vol.5 No.6,
December
24,
2013
ABSTRACT:
Spatial science courses that are Remote Sensing (RS) and
Geographic Information System (GIS) are increasingly growing into extremely
important disciplines that accommodate various applications in wider sectors of
development. Effective teaching and learning of the courses, however, requires
intensive investment in facilities and human resources, since the technology is
sophisticated and growing fast. This study aims at exploring the challenges of
teaching and learning spatial science courses, RS and GIS, particularly in
public universities in Tanzania. The study also identifies possible
opportunities to improve the situation. Using social survey techniques in data
gathering and analysis and author’s own experience, lack of resources, poor
background to the courses, delivery methods, limited number of staff and large
classes were seen to be the major obstacles in successful learning and
teaching. Opportunities exist in using open source resources, collaboration
with other institutions within and outside the country and for the universities
to give due weight to the courses by building capacity of their staff and
procuring facilities, especially laboratories equipments.