IRI Remote Sensing

Partner(s): Pietro Ceccato, Michael Bell International Research Institute Access: Open to all Released: April 2011 VIEW PROJECT

IRIS is a web site that presents case-based teaching modules that cover the use of remote sensing techniques for the identification and monitoring of environmental change with critical applications to solving problems in climate, health, and disaster management. These modules are used by Pietro Ceccato and Michael Bell in their spring semester course, "Remote Sensing and Environmental Change", which provides the practical and theoretical foundations for the application of remote sensing techniques using the extensive and on-line accessible IRI Data Library and Maproom data analysis tools. As an advanced, practically-oriented course, students experience hands-on the capabilities of remote sensing data for analyzing environmental problems.

In each case study, the "Analyze the Data" portion of the module is designed to illustrate how to approach an analysis when presented with a myriad of remote sensing data and analytical tool sets from which to choose. These sections aim to scaffold in a step-wise manner the underlying framework necessary to master the scientific concepts and approaches to solving relevant research questions using remote sensing data.

The first case study presents a forecasting fire activity which looks at potential solutions defined by selected data sets and accompanying analyses from the IRI Data Library and Maproom. Students are asked to evaluate the viability of each solution and select the one they have determined to have the most sound analysis. IRIS incorporates interactive graphs and screencast tutorials to help students master this content and incorporate it into their ability to problem solve.

The next case study to be developed will examine malaria, and subsequent case studies will be developed by students.

Related project categories:
Case Studies | Sciences