The GeoTech Center’s purpose:

In 2008, the National Science Foundation funded the National Geospatial Technology Center of Excellence to support two-year college geospatial technology programs.  The GeoTech Center is a collaborative effort between colleges, universities, and industry to expand the geospatial workforce.  The partners of the Center work together to provide professional development, teaching and curriculum resources, career pathways and model core competencies for geospatial technicians.

The website has a variety of information.  The website is broken down into three areas: Educators, Students and Industry.  You can see the additional areas of focus below.

• Educators
  • Development
  • Curriculum Materials
  • Teaching Resources
  • Latest Research
  • GIS in Administration
  • GIS in Classroom
• Students
  • Career Pathway
  • Certification
  • Locate Programs
  • Internships
  • Jobs
  • Social Networking
• Industry
  • Training Opportunities
  • Internship Information

The website also has a really awesome interactive  map of two-year college geospatial education programs.

The GeoTech Center is a valuable resource for anyone looking to find more about geospatial technology and the available education programs.  Take some time and check it out!

A new study by the ARC Advisory Group shows that the geospatial information systems market is projected to continue to grow.  GIS is helping industries such as utilities and the federal government.   The technology is vital and is helping about every industry grow and become more efficient.  The study shows that the GIS market is expected to grow by 50% over the next five years.  It even show the expansion to markets outside of the United States.

With the expansion of GIS technology, the GIS industry will continue to expand.  Software is getting easier to use, the data is becoming expanded with higher quality, and the users are finding ways to better implement the technology.  These signs are very good reasons why it is not going to die any time soon.

Check out  the study: Geospatial Information Systems Market to Grow 50% Over Next Five Years

If you are not linked into GIS or Geospatial Technoloyg check out these resources to build a great career:

• Careers in GIS
• Career Voyages
• Building a Career in GIS
• GIS Cafe
• Careers at ESRI and in the Geospatial Industry

This teaching style may sound very strange and unorthodox, but the evolution of education is providing various techniques to help students learn.  I must first commend Ms. Klinker for thinking outside of the box.  I do not believe that the traditional style of learning through lecture is the best method for this technology.  However, the boot camp method may also not be the best.  You have to remember that each individual student has their own learning style.  Some are able to use a self study workbook approach and learn more than sitting under the lecture of an experienced professor.  Others may prefer the traditional classroom style, while there may be a few who even like to learn by trial and error through experience.  Is there a particular learning style that works best for Geospatial Technology?  I believe that this subject cannot be taught through just lecture.  There must be some type of application.  Having book knowledge is OK, but putting that knowledge to use is even better.

I like that fact that these students were able to take on a project from start to finish.  Application, application, application is important!  Knowing how to perform a task is one thing; being able to apply it is another.  Students can be provided with the tools for Geospatial Technology, but they must also be able to discern when it is best to put them to use.

Does a mixture of learning styles produce the best environment for learning GIS, or is there a particular style that works best?

Saint Mary’s Department of Resource Analysis prides itself in allowing for “hands on learning”.  This learning style embraces the ESRI technology in their labs and instructional materials.  The class sizes are usually small and enable students to receive direct instructor support.  Beyond the classroom, Saint Mary’s helps to develop networking opportunities for career placement and advancement.

On their website, Saint Mary’s University describes their program:

The program is suited for diverse interests and provides educational options for any learner no matter their background. Student centered learning is maximized through flexibility in offering distance-learning courses as well as multiple degree concentrations in natural resource management, homeland security/emergency management, business, policy administration, criminal justice, and/or project management.

Their students and alumni have received quite a bit a recognition and praise from various sources.  These include:

• GIS Project Presentation at the International ESRI Conference
• Job Interview with the United States Postal Inspection Service
• Received Job as the Deputy GIS officer for all of Europe
• Student said that they went from no technology background to gaining effective GIS skills
• Described as putting top-quality professionals out in the GIS world!

Read more testimonials…

To see what type of graduates this program puts out, check out some of their students’ work:

Graduate Project Video Presentations
Graduate Papers Online

Some of the topics include:

• Using GIS to Examine the Head Start Service Area in Winona County, Minnesota
• The effect of Tourist Attractions on the Crime Trends in the Growing Community of Shakopee, Minnesota
• Using GIS to Create a Gray Wolf Habitat Suitability Model in the Western Upper Penninsula of Michigan and Assessment of Wolf Pack Ranges
• Improving Geocode Match Rates of Valid Addresses by Combining Multiple Reference Data Sets
• Using GIS to Locate Target Markets in the Retail Banking Sector

The Professional Certificate in Geospatial Technology falls under the Continuing Education Program. There are three different certificates available:

• Professional Certificate in Geospatial Technology – Foundations
• Professional Certificate in Geospatial Technology – Advanced Engagements
• Professional Certificate in Geospatial Technology – Excellence

Each certificate requires 120 continuing education units with each continuing education unit equaling 10 hours of course time. The program is setup as an on-learning environment. The courses are described as:

The courses provided through this program are intended to ensure that geospatial and technology enthusiasts have access to, and are provided with, opportunities to remain current with technology in the field of Geographic Information Systems and related geospatial technologies.

Scholarships

Saint Mary’s University offers a variety of scholarships although none directly apply to GIS. One that caught my attention was the SGPP Faculty Staff Scholarship. The faculty and staff provide two scholarships of at least $1,700 which are available to students in any of the certificate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral programs.

Learn more about Saint Mary’s University: http://www.smumn.edu/
Learn more about the Geospatial Program: http://www.gis.smumn.edu/

Note: The information within this article has been thoroughly researched but should be verified with the college.  Publication of this article was not initiated by the college but is the sole work of GIS Pathway.

There are several community colleges that focus on the applied uses of the Geographic Information System. Programs properly educates students in order to place then into GIS positions. Outside of GIS degrees and certificates that colleges provide, the GIS Certification Institute offers a professional certification in GIS. Standards and requirements are outlined by the GISCI to give adequate recognition to those who comply with the requirements.

Although many colleges provides quality degree and certificate programs, there is a need to inform student about the GIS professional certification. Many GIS students have never heard of a certified GIS professional. They are being taught the fundamentals of the industry but not how to develop a GIS career. Through developing a career, students will learn the importance of continuing education and networking beyond just acquiring a job.

Informing students about the certified GIS professional is essential when they begin college. With the aspects of career planning, the introduction of this certification will inspire student to think long-term. In addition, goals are instilled in the thought process of the students. Students will be able to see past graduation and build objectives that they will desire to fulfill. Furthermore, the ethics of the GIS industry will be presented to the student. Preparing students for a job is one thing, but preparing students who will do what is right within a job is another.

As the GIS industry grows, students must be informed about the areas important to a GIS career. Students must have set goals, networking abilities, and ethical training. Teaching students early about the GIS Professional Certification will help to produce quality GIS graduates.

Download the discussed research paper….Proposal to Inform Students About GIS Certification

Note: The above paper was never submitted to Central Piedmont Community College; however, I feel that it presents a good example of most GIS Colleges.

Want to know when you should start on your GISP? Read GISP Certification – Start Now!

American River College has provided a GIS program since 1997 with the approval of certificate and degree programs beginning in 2001.  They offer an Interdisciplinary Applications Certificate and an A.S. Degree in GIS.  These programs are comprised of 15 different GIS courses.  Although none of these GIS courses are offered online, they do hope to be using the online format in the near future.

Students who enroll into the program have access to a state of the art computer facility with the latest GIS software.  ArcView (with extensions) is also provided as a take home solution with a one year student license.  In addition to ArcGIS, students are able to have hands-on experience with other GIS software such as GPS software and Erdas Imagine.

The GIS program faculty is made up of both full time and adjunct professors.  Each full time faculty member brings a wealth of experience to the classroom.  From coauthoring GIS books to establishing GIS curriculum this faculty helps support a quality program.  The adjunct faculty also brings experience from governmental GIS divisions that include California Fish and Game and the City of Sacramento.

Those students wishing to transfer to a four-year college may do so, but must be cautioned because GIS courses at American River College are lower division and universities classify their GIS course as upper division.  There are some universities that may allow certain courses to transfer, but you will need to contact the university directly to see what will transfer.  Universities like Humboldt and Berkeley would be a place to start.

Students who choose not to pursuer a four year degree have the option to go out directly into the workplace.  Although students are not provided directly with internships, they are kept up to date on local job availability.  An interesting fact to note is that the typical GIS student at American River College is a working professional with the average age at 28.

The American River College GIS program has been recognized by the California Geographic Information Association with the “Excellence in Education” award.  In addition, the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) has presented the program with the “Special Achievement in GIS” award.

For more information visit: http://web.arc.losrios.edu/~earthsci/gis.htm

Thank you to Dr. Hugh Howard for providing some great information.

Note: The information within this article has been thoroughly researched but should be verified with the college.  Publication of this article was not initiated by the college but is the sole work of GIS Pathway.