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Digital field mapping—making the change from paper to touchscreen technology
Author(s) -
Muir R.J.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
geology today
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.188
H-Index - 17
eISSN - 1365-2451
pISSN - 0266-6979
DOI - 10.1111/gto.12120
Subject(s) - touchscreen , field (mathematics) , digital mapping , workforce , computer science , geology , human–computer interaction , remote sensing , political science , mathematics , pure mathematics , law
Current desktop technology is largely mouse‐driven, but many analysts predict that in less than five years we will have a professional workforce that have only experienced learning in a touchscreen environment. Midland Valley have developed a digital mapping tool for smartphones called FieldMove Clino , which has been downloaded more than 20 000 times over the past year. The free version offers an effective way of introducing students to digital field mapping. However, many geoscience departments and teachers of field mapping have yet to make the switch from traditional paper‐based methods to digital technology. This article aims to answer some of the frequently asked questions about digital field mapping and outlines some of the advantages for improving field skills and geological thinking in students.