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Information systems can play a vital role in supporting the planning and management of development programs and, as such, they are fundamental to improving people's health, education, training, and enhancing the transparency of decisions and actions taken by public and private agencies in these and other domains. This paper examines how information systems in general, and geographic information systems (GIS) in particular, can contribute to an understanding of local educational contexts and needs through the provision of information tools that bridge national-level goals and policy to local-level action and outcomes. First, utilising the frameworks from global initiatives such as "Education for All" and "A Framework for Action," direction is provided as to what types of data are required to evaluate education systems and education quality, especially given the absence of detailed local-level data. Second, the relationship between neighbourhood context and the quality of education is assessed. Third, the available educational and contextual information for a case study in the urban district of Independencia, Peru is described. Utilising information available at the local level and general international frameworks, a method is outlined for the analysis of education quality and neighbourhood well-being and is applied to the case of Independencia, Peru.

Discusses the design development, and use of a multimedia classroom for the instruction of undergraduate courses in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) at the University of Waterloo (Ontario, Canada). Addresses issues involved in using multimedia technologies for GIS instruction, outlining how the room is used for live computer-based presentations. (CMK)

A study was conducted to examine the sequential pattern of sketch map creation. Conventionally, the analysis of sketch maps of urban areas has focused on the interpretation of hand-drawn renditions of features that are most familiar to individuals. Findings indicate that three groups of cognitive maps exist. These groups include sequential, spatial, and hybrid maps.

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2005.04.027 Byline: C.H. Close (a), G. Brent Hall (b) Abstract: Despite a heavy reliance on scientific knowledge as the primary source of information in resource management, many resources are in decline, particularly in fisheries. To try and combat this trend, researchers have drawn upon the knowledge of local resource users as an important supplement to scientific knowledge in designing and implementing management strategies. The integration of local knowledge with scientific knowledge for marine species management, however, is problematic stemming primarily from conflicting data types. This paper considers the use of spatial information technology as a medium to integrate and visualise spatial distributions of both quantitative scientific data and qualitative local knowledge for the purposes of producing valid and locally relevant fisheries management plans. In this context, the paper presents a detailed protocol for the collection and subsequent use of local knowledge in fisheries management planning using geographic information systems (GIS). Particular attention is paid to the use of local knowledge in resource management, accuracy issues associated with the incorporation of qualitative data into a quantitative environment, base map selection and construction, and map bias or errors associated with the accuracy of recording harvest locations on paper map sheets, given the complications of map scale. Author Affiliation: (a) Spatially Close Consulting, 8-220 East King Edward Ave Vancouver, BC, Canada V5V 2C3 (b) School of Planning University of Waterloo, Ont., Canada, N2L 3G1 Article History: Received 19 August 2004; Revised 4 April 2005; Accepted 20 April 2005

In this paper, we examine the relationships between social network characteristics, personal empowerment, social support, and adaptation of psychiatric consumer/survivors. Using path model analyses, we found that: (1) personal empowerment had statistically significant direct effects on positive affect, meaningful activity, and negative affect; (2) positive social support mediated the relationship between the proportion of women in consumer/survivors' networks and positive affect and meaningful activity; and (3) negative social interaction mediated the relationship between consumer/survivors' gender and negative affect. The results point out the importance of gender effects in social support processes, the differential association between type of social interaction (positive vs negative) and adaptation indices (positive vs negative), and the importance of personal empowerment for consumer/survivors' adaptation. We discuss the findings in terms of their implications for further research and community-based housing programmes for psychiatric consumer/survivors. Key words - social support, community adaptation, path model, social networks, gender

In this research we examine self-reported social network transactions of former psychiatric inpatients residing in different types of housing in the community. Unlike earlier research we found considerable reciprocity in network transactions with family and friends. Only professionals provide more support than they received from patients. Providing emotional support to others was positively correlated with positive affect, community integration, and mastery. Respondents reported more supportive than unsupportive transactions with network members and more supportive transactions with friends than with family or professionals. Finally, residents of supportive apartments and group hom provided and received support more frequently than residents of board-and-care homes. We discuss the results in terms of their implications for policy and future research.