Blending History with Geographic Information System Technology: Using USS Arizona GIS Data to Engage Students in Technology and History of the Pearl Harbor Attack

A recently completed GIS dataset of the USS Arizona completed by a dual effort of the Park Service and Northrop-Grumman Mission Systems is reviewed and used in a successful case-study approach to integrating historical simulation techniques of the Pearl Harbor Incident with learning to analyze spatial data in a GIS environment.

Abstract

Abstract As we rely more and more heavily on technology in our teaching methods, utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) has become increasingly commonplace for instructing students how to interact successfully with scientific data and data analysis tools. With students’ increasing fascination with technology such as GIS, there is a unique opportunity to incorporate spatial learning techniques with more qualitative subjects such as history. The applied history techniques described in this study represent a creative methodology that can be used at several teaching and learning levels. In this study, I review a recently completed GIS dataset of the USS Arizona completed by a dual effort of the Park Service and Northrop‐Grumman Mission Systems. This dataset is used in a successful case‐study approach to integrating historical simulation techniques of the Pearl Harbor Incident with learning to analyze spatial data in a GIS environment.