STUDY GUIDE to Distance Education Course Module Open GIS: an Introduction for professionals for learners and tutors of UNIPHORM project by Dr. Mária KOCSIS BAÁN Prof. László MÉRAY András DIÓSZEGI

Content n Background of the UNIPHORM project n Introduction to ODL methodology n Course content n Course delivery n Assessment and evaluation n Time-schedule of the course n Certification

Training material development supported by ETF in Phare Multi-Country Cooperation in Distance Education Program n Establishment of a Network of 40 new DE Study Centres in the 11 Phare countries n Training material development - 27 projects n Dissemination and delivery of courses in the Network of Phare DE Study Centres

General Aims of the UNIPHORM Project n utilise synergy of cooperation between UNIGIS and PHARE DE SC Networks n development of lifelong learning framework n awareness raising of DE methods n introduce Open Systems thinking n enable use of world wide resources for GI n provide skills and basic knowledge for using Open GIS systems

DE Course Modules should meet the requirements of n reflecting real market needs relevant to the economic and social development in the Phare countries, n supporting their integration into the European Union, n deploying innovative and operational distance learning methods that will ensure learners flexible, efficient and cost-effective access to education and training modules, n offering formal, accredited modules or non-formal and non-accredited continuing education and training modules at post-secondary or higher education levels.

Partners of the UNIPHORM Project DE Study Centres in PHARE NHRDEC - University of Miskolc, Hungary CSODECS - Study Centre for DE for Civil Society, Romania UNIGIS organisations in PHARE CSLM - College of Surveying and Land Management, Székesfehérvár, Hungary UCTB - Technical University for Civil Engineering at Bucurest (Romania) GIS professional organisations in EU University of Salzburg, Austria Manchester Metropolitan University, United Kingdom GISIG - Italy

Introduction to ODL ODL = Open Distance Learning n learner-centred approach n flexibility with concern to time, place and pace n tailored for individual learning needs and path n usage of advanced ICT (Information and Communication Technology) n system approach - learning support system

ODL - new challenges in education n increased accessability, u second chance for adult learners u life-long learning u disabled people with special difficulties n improved effectiveness, productivity n changing roles of teachers, learners

ODL - new challenges in education n ICT based concepts: u telelearning, teleteaching, u virtual classroom, virtual mobility n partnership, networking n international dimensions

Learning at a distance n flexibility, n autonomy, n independence Learning environment n versatile support system n advanced ICT

Roles of the tutor n Providing general information on the course n Professional and methodological support for self-study periods n Keeping motivation n Assessment, evaluation of learners’ work n Collection of feedback information n Contribution to refinement

Key factors to success n Plan your own time-schedule n Learn regularly n Keep contact with your tutor n Do all self-study activities n Do not hesitate to ask for help n Never give up! If you want, you WILL succeed!

The target groups of the UNIPHORM Project n Decision makers, management, systems integrators working in the GIS companies, surveying offices, in other sectors including local governments, ministries, public notaries, lawyers, bank officers etc. working with the land related data in their profession (using computers more and more frequently Internet). n The project is seen as being a key element in the EU harmonisation process within land related management / administration and will act as medium for furthering EU harmonisation

UNIPHORM Course Structure n Getting started - face-to-face introductory meeting n Units of the Module - by ODL - core material in Power Point presentation Overview of OpenGIS OGIS Open Systems and Object Orientation Geodata, metadata, Standards Management and Business Issues n Case Study - intensive practical training in a Workshop

Requirements for Students to Complete the Course n Self Assessed Exercises n Tutor Assessed Assignments n Workshop as intensive practical training n Review Exercise

Time schedule of course delivery Course elements n Modules - learning in self-study periods - total 100 hours n Tutorial workshops - 3 occasion, 12 hours n Preparatory for practical training - 12 hours, optional, depending on the level of previous skills in informatics, learners may use their own facilities or may take part on this optional pre-training at the DE SC. n Practical training - two-days Workshop, 20 hours n Final work - 6 hours - finalising exercises of Practical training

Requirements for the computing n Technical requirements – IBM Pc or compatible on WIN95 or NT platform – CD-ROM driver (recommended) – printer optional n Software requirements – Internet browser (Windows Explorer or Netscape Navigator) – Word processor (Microsoft Office97 is recommended) – Microsoft PowerPoint (Microsoft Office97 is recommended) n Computing skill: on base level

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