Acquiring GIS Skills Through Formal Meansby Dr. James Linders,
Professor,
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Dr. James Linders |
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Abstract : |
The traditional means of acquiring GIS skills has been to learn intimately the structure and mechanics of a GIS vendor's package. whereas this is suitable for those required to adapt to an organization's commitment to a vendor's package, it is lacking in the sense that GIS has become more of a ubiquitous resource requiring access to information from local and globally connected networks of potential GIS related sites. Hence the perspective on GIS education is changing to one of a powerful application within the context of a comprehensive information utility.
This paper identifies the need for development of basic principles for the effective use of GIS technology and an approach for teaching within an academic environment. The emphasis is on creating an understanding of the underlying concepts within a knowledge based environment from which specific GIS applications can be developed. One of the primary issues is the requirements for building robust applications within a comprehensive shared data environment.
The design of a curriculum to address the needs of the specialists as well as the casual user are presented and discussed. Particular emphasis is given to self-learning through Web based access.
Dr. James Linders - Profile :
James G. Linders is Prof. and Chair of the Department of Computing and Information Science at the University of Guelph where he is involved with the application of Information Technology for the Geomatics Industry. He is also president of GEOREF Systems Ltd. of Waterloo and has been active in the development of GIS technology for almost 30 years. During this time he has pioneered many new developments ranging from automated cartography to the use of advanced techniques for collecting and processing georeferenced airborne imagery. He has also served as a consultant to several levels of government both here and abroad as well as to industry. His research interests include spatial databases and knowledge based systems as well as new technologies for airborne remote sensing.
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