Learning Spatially at the University of Redlands (LENS)

Creating one's own map story is an activity that anyone can do. To do it well, however, takes some knowledge and skill. At the University of Redlands, geographic understanding and spatial literacy is a significant part of the education we provide.

LEarNing Spatially at the University of Redlands

The LENS (LEarNing Spatially) initiative at the University of Redlands helps establish geography and spatial literacy as an important foundation of liberal arts higher education. Through workshops, courses, and consultations with faculty and staff, LENS develops capacity of our University communities to think spatially. According to LENS, spatial thinking is the "ability to visualize and interpret location, distance, direction, relationships, movement, and change through space." The work LENS does is enhanced by the teaching and research conducted at the University of Redlands MS GIS program and Redlands Institute. The U of R Master of Science in Geographic Information Systems program is a one-year intensive program geared to professionals who are interested in developing and enhancing their knowledge and skills in geographic information, science, and technology. The Redlands Institute conducts interdisciplinary research applying GIS to issues and problems on local, regional, and global scales.

The Redlands Institute

University of Redlands MS GIS Program

Social Explorer Professional Edition

Armacost Library supports the University of Redlands campus-wide spatial learning initiative spearheaded by LENS. Not only do we have print maps and U.S. census data available, we provide access to Social Explorer Professional Edition to currently enrolled students and currently affiliated faculty, staff, and administrators of U of R. Social Explorer is an online digital mapping resource that allows users to create maps and reports using current and historical U.S. census data. Social Explorer also has a Free Edition that allows users to make maps and reports from a smaller subset of demographic information. See Social Explorer's how-to videos to get started right away.

LENS is generously supported by Esri and the W.M. Keck Foundation.