February 2019 GeoMentor Spotlight: Ashok Peddi
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02-04-2019 12:57 PM
Each month we feature GeoMentor volunteers to showcase the wonderful talent available in our community to assist K-12 schools.
Read our full collection of GeoMentor spotlights online. Want to be featured? Information is available on our program website.
Ashok Peddi
Position and Affiliation: GIS Instructor; Hyderabad, India
What was your favorite class in K-12? Social Sciences - History
How did you first learn about and/or use GIS? It was October 255 and I had joined a Masters in Geoinformatics program in the Department of Geography at Osmania University Hyderabad. It was my first day at college. I was fascinated to see the GIS and Remote Sensing lab room full of computers with huge screens. It was the first time I just clicked on Google Earth and it was an amazing experience. It was my first learning exposure to GIS and it gave me the enthusiasm for the rest of my life. Now I am a big fan of GIS and Maps.
Name one thing you love about GIS and/or geography. Capturing the reality is one of the biggest challenges that technology faces. The generation of 3D GIS data from reality capture sources is one of my favorite aspects of GIS.
Why did you want to volunteer as a GeoMentor? I was part of a CSR activity of my previous organization which had adopted a few government schools in the city where we used to teach English and Mathematics. I was a Point of Contact for a School and being a GIS Professional I started teaching Geography and GIS. The response was excellent. I am now teaching GIS and Geography in two other schools as well.
What kind of GeoMentor volunteer opportunity and experience are you looking for? I love teaching high school students. It is really a tremendous experience. I feel amazed by their response and it is really something new that they are learning. I am looking for an experience where I can brainstorm with them in terms of GIS and Remote Sensing Technologies.
If someone asked you why they should learn about GIS and/or geography, how would you respond in one sentence? GIS helps you answer questions and solve problems by looking at your data in a way that is quickly understood and easily shared. GIS technology makes a difference in the world in part due to a wide variety of possible applications. Aside from trends and relationships, GIS skills can be useful for careers in real estate appraisal, retail, banking, natural resources management, emergency management and more.
Email: peddiasok@gmail.com