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Skill Set of a GIS Technician GeoTech MetaDACUM GEOED Louisville, KY June 23, 2010. Mike Rudibaugh, Ph.D. Co-PI NSF GeoTech Center Geography/GIS Instructor Lake Land College mrudibau@lakeland.cc.il.us 217-234-5244. What is the GeoTech Center? . http://geotechcenter.org/
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Skill Set of a GIS TechnicianGeoTechMetaDACUMGEOED Louisville, KYJune 23, 2010 Mike Rudibaugh, Ph.D. Co-PI NSF GeoTech Center Geography/GIS Instructor Lake Land College mrudibau@lakeland.cc.il.us 217-234-5244
What is the GeoTech Center? • http://geotechcenter.org/ • Resource center for community colleges in developing geospatial technology • NSF-ATE Program • 1. Curriculum • 2. Faulty Professional Development • 3. Student Recruitment • 4. Workforce Studies • 5. Hardware/Software
Scanning the GST Landscape Using the College Program Research Database • Scanning the System (2009) • N= 1185 (Community Colleges in GeoTech Center geodatabase • Program Map Tier System • 1= NO GST (N=733) • 2 = Class (N = 287) • 3 = Certificates (N = 96) • 4 = Degrees (N = 19) • 5 = Degrees and Certificates (N = 50)
College Program Research Database -Regional Patterns Associated to Closest Partner Using thiessen polygons to assign each college to closest GeoTech Partner
Using the Program Research Database to findRegional Patterns • The following table profiles how GST is offered at CCs in different regions of the country around GeoTech Partner • Analysis - the West region is the most mature based on the fact it’s the only region with a higher frequency of colleges that have some GST versus none.
Geospatial jobsare not clearly defined • Why? • Vast, multi-disciplinary industry • New field with many competing interests • Result? • Assortment of classes, curriculum, certificate & degree • requirements at 449 Colleges • GIS Classes Are Offered in 30 Programming Areas within Community Colleges • Geography, GIS, Geospatial Represent 50% Goal: Identify Core Competencies for GIS Technicians
Industry Competency Model Initiative • Develop Industry Models that: • Serve as a basis for developing new training materials for the industry; • Categorize the wide range of existing materials that are currently being used; • Comprehend the full range of skills needed for Geospatial Technology; • Form the foundation for industry skill standards and certifications; • Evaluate the myriad training programs that address those skill needs.
Who are the stakeholders? • Industry • Prospective workers • Training providers • The public workforce system
A competency model is a descriptive tool that identifies the competencies needed to operate in a specific role with a(n) job, occupation, organization, or industry.
Requirements for specialized degrees, licensure, or certification (e.g., GISCI) Competencies specific to an occupation identified by DoL partners (e.g., GeoTech Center) Competencies needed by all occupations within an industry segment Competencies needed by all occupations within an industry Competencies applicable to many occupations and industries at national scale
The DACUM Process • A DACUM (Developing A Curriculum) is an occupational analysis performed by expert workers (12) in the occupation (in this case, GIS Technician). • Results in a DACUM Research Chart, an occupational skill profile that identifies Tasks and Duties of the occupation. • The research chart is then validated by a survey of the regional user community. • The validated research chart can used for instructional program planning, curriculum development, training materials development, etc.
DACUM Workshop Event • November 19-20 (2008) • 2-days • Employers Represented • IDOT • ADM • USDA • Illinois Water Survey • Coles County Regional Planning • Champaign County • Effingham Tax Assessors Office • Clinton County GIS Office • ManPlan.Net (AG. Consulting) • EJ Water Cooperative • Meisenhimer and Gende Engineers Grant funding from the National Science Foundation (DUE 0801896)
Recent curriculum development in GSTs at Lake Land College • New Geospatial Technology Program • DACUM Results (Industry feedback structured new GST certificate • Validated at state level (ILGISA) • LLC Developed a new GST Certificate Program (17 hours) • Classes • 1. Intro to GIS - 4 • 2. Advanced Vector GIS - 3 • 3. World Geography- 3 • 4. Information Technology Elective – 2-3 hours • 5. GPS Elective – 2-3 hours • 6. Internship – 3 • Total 17-19 hours
Recent curriculum development in GSTs at Lake Land College • New Geospatial Technology Program • Recent trends • Little to no articulation in Illinois for GST • More university programs are embedding GST into programs/curriculum • GST technology is beginning to meet general education requirements in some states • Some occupational programs are adding GST as part of licensing exam • Price of hardware/software is coming down
Core Competencies • Core competencies were identified as any task with at least 75% of survey respondents indicating either important or very important. • Task items falling below the 75% criteria need to be analyzed closely as they may be relevant to specific occupations and regions but may not have broad application across the user base.
Geospatial Technology Certificate Lake Land College • Lake Land College is expanding its current Geospatial Technology Certificate to include core competencies identified in the DACUM validation survey. Codes link to the Lake Land College DACUM Verification Survey Results, GeoTech, April 2009
MetaDACUMS – National Trends • National Snapshot of the GIS Technician • Attempt to define the GIS Technician occupation based upon DACUMS in diverse occupational markets • Results (What do GIS Technicians do?) • Process Data • Manage • Evaluate • Generate Products • Design and Create Maps • Implications • GISCI – Certification
Steps to Build an Industry Competency Model • Conduct Research • Analyze Resource Materials • Develop draft competency model • Engage industry partners • Refine and validate the model • Launch and promote the model • Plan to maintain and update the model
Recommendations to offer GST Technology in Illinois -SWC Example in San Diego • How do we offer GST curriculum to the Illinois community college student? • Is GST an occupational, transfer, workforce development, or adult education program? • How should we be teaching and offering GST curriculum in Illinois Community Colleges?