Unraveling Hong Kong Geopark experience with visitor-employed photography method

Geoparks have been established around the world with the major objective of protecting significant geoheritage features and reinforcing geoconservation ideas and support through educating visitors. Understanding visitors' perception of geoheritage can inform educational and conservation endeavors. This study used the visitor-employed photography (VEP) method to unravel visitor perception of geoheritage and associated natural and cultural features in the recently designated Hong Kong Global Geopark of China (HKGP). Participants were asked to take photographs of scenes with an effect on their experience in the HKGP and to elaborate in a logbook the chosen subject, reason of choice, and effect on their travel experience. Aimed at capturing real-time and organic experiences, it was found that geoheritage plays a major role in HKGP visits. Visitors develop strong emotional connections with nature through appreciating and learning about prominent features of both small and landscape scales. However, a mismatch was found between visitor belief or incorrect geological or geomorphological knowledge with inherently strong enthusiasm in deciphering the science behind geoheritage. The findings permit development of a new approach of geopark interpretation, commencing with aesthetic and emotional connections with geoheritage features. Modification of fixed on-site provisions and guiding services directed at visitor interests can better spread geoheritage knowledge and reinforce geoconservation ideas. Modeling after overseas practices, a park ranger system, audio guide devices and smart phone applications are essential to achieve meritorious geopark management, appreciation, and enjoyment.     

‘The magical operations of separation’: English elite schools’ on-line geographies,internationalisation and functional isolation

This paper examines the enduring separation and isolation of elite schools in England, in the face of increasing and substantial internationalisation. It presents the findings of a research project examining the geographical narratives produced by 30 elite schools on their websites and through their prospectuses, newsletters, blogs and twitter feeds. A critical visual and textual analysis was undertaken. Drawing on these data, the paper argues that elite schools remain highly focused on promoting and defending their separateness and isolation, despite extensive, documented international involvements. Work on institutional and carceral geographies and geographies of education have provided some theoretical justification for why this might be the case, and we explore these reasons here. The paper concludes with a plea for more work on the elite schooling sector in England, as their spatial practices (isolation and internationalisation) continue to have a weighty bearing upon society.     

Higher Dimensional FRW Cosmological Models in Self-Creation Theory

The field equations of Barber's (1982) second self-creation theory of gravitation are solved for 5D Friedmann-Robertson-Walker space time using perfect fluid energy momentum tensor. By assuming an equation of state p= ε ρ, (0 ≤ ε ≤ 1), the solutions of the field equations, in different scenarios, in Barber's second self-creation theory are presented and discussed. Some properties of these models are also discussed.     

21世纪高校GIS本科人才培养方案的研究

地理信息系统专业是一个新办专业，就目前而言，从教学计划、教学大纲、课程设置、教材的系统建设等方面都还存在问题。主要从GIS本科的培养目标计划、课程体系建设、实践教学及教与学的关系等方面阐述了思想，以与大家探讨如何建设一个规范、成熟的地理信息系统专业。     

The Role of Education in the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program

Tsunami education activities, materials, and programs are recognized by the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program (NTHMP) as the essential tool for near-source tsunami mitigation. Prior to the NTHMP, there were no state tsunami education programs outside of Hawaii and few earthquake education materials included tsunami hazards. In the first year of the NTHMP, a Strategic Plan was developed providing the framework for mitigation projects in the program. The Strategic Plan identifies education as the first of five mitigation strategic planning areas and targets a number of user groups, including schools, businesses, tourists, seasonal workers, planners, government officials, and the general public. In the 6 years of the NTHMP tsunami education programs have been developed in all five Pacific States and include print, electronic and video/film products, curriculum, signage, fairs and workshops, and public service announcements. Multi-state education projects supported by the NTHMP include TsuInfo, a bi-monthly newsletter, and Surviving a Tsunami, a booklet illustrating lessons from the 1960 Chilean tsunami. An additional education component is provided by the Public Affairs Working Group (PAWG) that promotes media coverage of tsunamis and the NTHMP. Assessment surveys conducted in Oregon, Washington, and Northern California show an increase in tsunami awareness and recognition of tsunami hazards among the general population since the NTHMP inception.     

Higher Dimensional Cosmological Implications Of A Decay Law For λ Term: Expressions For Some Observable Quantities

Implications of cosmological model with a cosmological term of the form , where β is a constant, are analyzed in multidimensional space time. The proper distance, the luminosity distance-redshift, the angular diameter distance-redshift, and look back time-redshift for the model are presented. It has been shown that models are found to be compatible with the present observations. This work, has thus generalized to higher dimensions the well-known result in four dimensional space time. It is found that the difference is significant at least in the principal to the anologous situation in four dimensional space time.     

高职测绘类专业动手能力培养方法探索与实践

本文结合工程测量技术专业的教学实践,从课程设置、集中实训环节安排、仪器操作训练、计算能力培养、技能竞赛、组织学术讲座、开放实训基地、对外技术服务等7个方面,对高职测绘类专业学生实践动手能力培养方法进行了探索。     

遥感数字图像处理课程教学模式的构建

基于遥感数字图像处理课程的特点和教学目标,本文提出了探索模式、项目模式和近距接触模式3种教学模式。这些教学模式皆注重对科学精神、人文精神、团队意识、创新能力等意识和能力的培养。教学实践表明,这些教学模式可在传授知识和培养技能的同时,有效地提高学生的多种意识和能力。     

GIS专业计算机类课程教学改革与探索

在分析了GIS专业计算机类课程教学中存在的问题的基础上,结合实际的教学经验,并以云南大学GIS专业为例,提出了相应的解决方案,并给出了系统化的GIS专业计算机课程培养目标,以期为高校GIS专业教育提供有益的借鉴和参考。