Following is a brief summary of the conclusions of the surveys identified here.
1990 Oklahoma State University
Summary of conclusions:
- Three courses critical - computer cartography (~80%), database management
(~75%), map reading (~65%)
- Other high ranking courses (50-60%) - statistics, aerial photography
interprestsion, computer programming, remote sensing
- Moderate rankings (29-40%) - physical geography, image processing, natural
resource management, manual cartography, surveying
Summary of conclusions:
Percents below are proportion of respondents who ranked the course extremely
important or important:
- Map reading (~90%), database management (~90%), spatial analysis (~85%),
computer cartography (~80%), technical writing (~80%), statistics (~80%).
photogrammetry (~75%), remote sensing (~70%), computer programming (~70%), image
processing, GPS (~70%)
Percents below are proportion of respondents who ranked the course not
necessary:
- Geomorphology (40%), civil engineering (42%), geodesy ((32%), calculus (32%)
- 83% said it is important to have expertise with an industry standard GIS
package
- 80% said internships are important or extremely important
Summary of conclusions:
- given a list of specified skills, respondents selectede those most important
to improving their organization's ability to make progress with GIS.
- highest ranking skills were: ability to interface GIS with other IS; more
current awareness; technical appreciation of what GIS can offer; the ability to
implement a GIS strategy; applications using GIS software; the ability to
evaluate GIS products.
- low ranking were: the development of algorithms
Summary of conclusions:
- Important skills - communication, mathematics/sicence, computer programming,
measurement science, digital data capture, Geodesy/GPS, evidence evaluation,
cartographic presentation, software skills
Summary of conclusions:
A list of 69 tasks grouped according to the four functions of:
- Collection - all measuring methodologies and techniques used to collect new
spatial data or to convert existing data
- Treatment - operations related to the processing of raw data inorder to make
them compatible with a data model or structure, includes apatial analysis
- Representation/Dissemination - presentation and dissemination of analyzed data
and information in a format which is understandable for users
- Management - all operations related to the use of the various components of an
information system administration, namely human resources, procedures, equipment
and data
Summary of conclusions:
182 skills and knowledge topics grouped into 18 course units, grouped into three
themes:
- Spatial information for GIS - spatial concepts, determining and representing
location, modeling reality, data sources
- Information systems for GIS - technical aspects, database issues, spatial
analysis, system design
- Using GIS in the organization - communicating, economics, project management,
implementing, GIS and society
Summary of conclusions:
-Immediate training needs are digital ortho, softcopy triangulation, image
processing and softcopy compilation are immediate training needs
-Vendor co-sponsored training preferred (as opposed to vendor sponsored)
-5-day training sessions preferred over longer sessions (i.e. 6-week)
Sessions should be offered twice a year, Dec-March
-10 students per class.
-Costs: $1,000-$1,500 tuition
Summary of conclusions:
- assorted responses about what is needed, no general summary available.
Summary of conclusions:
- assesses the availability of training resources (people willing to offer
courses), what kind of training/education sessions staff should take (internal,
exxternal, level)
- limited questions on training needs
Summary of conclusions:
Issues of concern by role:
- Managers - general understanding of capabilities, exposure to real
applications, applicability to decision-making, realistic resource requirements,
cost/benefits, training techniques and mechanisms
- End Users - fundamental geographic concepts; successful applications; spatial
data sources, quality, availability and accessibility; general capabilities of
GIS; resource requirements; spatial analysis
- Spatial Analysts - spatial data sources, quality; QA/QC; spatial analysis,
project management; related applications
- Includes curriculum recommendations.
Summary of conclusions:
- 10 roles (manager, analyst, system administrator, programmer, processor,
database administrator, cartographer, drafter, digitizer and end user)
- Specified academic training required for GIS positions - cartography, computer
science, engineering, goegraphy, information management, urban planning
Summary of conclusions:
Occupational groups in LIS
- Basic Level Operator (Data Processors, Front Counter Personnel, Occasional
Users)
- Foundation Collectors & Presenters (Surveyors, Cartographers, Geographers,
Data Managers)
- Strategic Infrastructure Personnel (Marketers, Policy Developers, System
Designers)
- Collectors (own discipline) & Integrators (Statisticians, Scientists,
Botanists, Valuers, etc)
- Dispatch Managers & Integrators (Police and Emergency Services)
Skills / Knowledge Categories
-Data Management
-Data Presentation
-System Management
-Policy and Marketing
-Business, Management, Planning & Organisational
-Communication
-Computing for Land Information Management
-Training
Summary of conclusions:
- gathered information from GIS professionals on what should be in a core GIS
curriculum but results not available Dec 98.
- lots of information on employment situation and on current job classifications
with information about current job tasks
- GIS Manager - BS/MS, project and management skills, communication,
mathematics/statistics, budgeting, thorough understanding of GIS concepts bu
tnot necessarily hands-on skills
- GIS Coordinator - MS, very proficient in ArcView, understanding of other
software, communication, programming, mapping and graphic presentation
- GIS Technician - BS Geography or Natural Resources, hands on GIS, esp. data
editing and conversion, programming, communication, graphics
- GIS Programmer - BS Geography or CS, very proficient in Arc/Info, ArcView and
other software, programming, understand databases, work in multiple
environments, communication, graphics
- GIS Consultant - MS, very proficient in GIS, databases, multiple environments,
good communication, graphics, programming