The SPLINT project is also enabling us to develop further GIS resources for use in fieldwork. However, the SPLINT vision in this regard goes beyond spatial literacy to encompass practical computer literacy and numeracy.

Our field GIS equipment collection has been arriving in regular shipments since June 2006. We now have 22 Dell Axim 55v PDAs on site with TomTom Sirf III Chip Bluetooth GPS, rugged cases and ArcPad/OziExplorer geographical and navigation software available for use in formal field courses and in support of student dissertations at multiple levels. Two Leica Geosystems GS20 differential GPS offer higher-end GPS accuracy. Those more comfortable with a smaller GPS logging unit are able to request Garmin 301 or eTrex handheld receivers.

The Leicester SPLINT field store also contains 11 Itronix rugged tablets to support a range of activities in the field from landscape scale visualisations to robust, sand proof downloading of information from data loggers. These tablets have been out to a variety of locations this year, and further reflection as to their best use in regard to task, location and timing of use is required.

In a physical geography setting, the various location-enabled computing devices will connect with a variety of digital environmental sensors such as: TinyTag temperature and RH sensors; Campbell data loggers with temperature, light and water content probes; Delta-T probes for soil moisture and equipment for canopy analysis.

A group set of Ixus 60 cameras for student group and dissertation work will allow the development of panorama, phototagging and assisted sketching work within the curriculum more broadly. 2 Canon EOS digital SLRs and 2 Sony HDR-HCI high resolution video cameras for specialist modelling and archive research by staff and students complement the more 'every day' lighter weight equipment. A field set of Ipods, for the development of audio-visual teaching strategies within field courses in the first instance, reflects SPLINT's association with the University's pioneering Impala project.

To help manage these various items in field course setting, equipment is issued in group rucksucks which also contain traditional kit such as first aid kit and mobile telephone for emergencies in addition to the SPLINT rugged tablet, PDA, camera and Ipod. This is designed to be a flexible approach; What a group actually chooses to takes into the field on any one day will be a slimmed down version of this list subject to their task, with chargers and CD rewriter removed at minimum. The approach nevertheless serves to structure the loan of large numbers of small units of equipment in a practical and well-padded portable unit.

At a more pioneering level, we are also developing a mobile headset system using GPS and inertial sensors that will allow students to see individual co-located views of virtual representations.

Staffing resources are limited within SPLINT. However, we would be delighted to discuss ideas for developing resourced programmes of pedagogic research or exchanges of equipment. We have established procedures for equipment loan both within and beyond the University.

For more details on available equipment, manuals and internal loan arrangements for staff and students at the University of Leicester, please contact the members of staff listed below.

To find out information regarding the availability of SPLINT equipment on a particular day, please consult the following bookings calendar: http://www.geog.le.ac.uk/bookings. Once you have determined your requirements, enquiries about bookings should be made with Adam Cox in the first instance.

Adam Cox acc18@le.ac.uk

For more information, or to discuss the loan of equipment for teaching purposes outwith the University of Leicester, contact: :
Claire Jarvis chj2@le.ac.uk
Bill Hickin bwh@le.ac.uk