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GIS Certification:How will it be used

to improve education?

Deidre SullivanOSTO Workshop

November 11, 2008

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What is GIS?Geographic Information Systems

It is a science, a tool, and a software

It assists in the collection, analysis, and

interpretation of spatial data

GIS is starting to be replaced by the use of

Geospatial Technologies which includes

GIS, GPS, Remote Sensing

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Geospatial Technology is transforming how

we think… and how we do business

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What does a GIS professional

look like?

General Public:

GPS in cars, Mapquest, Google Earth, Zillow.com, general spatial literacy

Ancillary GIS Duties:

Police and Fire Depts., Non Profits, Institutional Research

City Planning, Resource Management, Marketing/Business

GIS Technician:

works under the direction of a GIS Analyst

GIS Analyst:

Designs and manages projects

GIS

Scientist:writes algorithms

Incre

asin

g S

kill

Level

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So what do you need to know to be

a GIS professional????

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Unique characteristics of GIS &

GIS education

It is a relatively new field.

It is a rapidly expanding field.

The technologies are evolving very rapidly.

It is a science and a skill.

It is taught by academics and occupational faculty.

Many colleges have “jumped on board” and developed degree and certificate programs fairly quickly.

It embodies the future of our workforce.

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What are Core Competencies?

They define the knowledge and skills required to

carry out specific tasks that are common to a

particular profession or occupation.

They are critical links between the workplace

and the classroom, since they connect job

requirements to educational subject areas.

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Benefits to establishing Core

Competencies

Help employers better understand and

evaluate the education of potential employees

Provide benchmarks for program accreditation

Facilitate articulation agreements

Facilitate the sharing of curriculum

Develop exam-based professional certification

Facilitate the placement of students in jobs

and internships

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How does the GIS world look at the

Core Competency issue?

Universities

UCGIS Body of Knowledge (2006)

Community Colleges

DACUMs (1998 – 2008)

U.S. Department of Labor Geospatial Technologies Competency Model (NASA)

Professional GIS Certification???

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Professional GIS CertificationGIS Certification Institute (GISCI)

In 1999, the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA) organization formed a committee to explore GIS certification

This led to the creation of the GIS Certification Institute (GISCI) in 2004, an independent institute supported by professional organizations [501 (c)(6)].

• Association of American Geographers (AAG) • The National State Geographic Information Council (NSGIC), • University Consortium for Geographic Information Science (UCGIS)• URISA

As of 11/5/08, 2,688 people certified [on 7/25/07 = 1,664]

It is portfolio-based and there is no exam (YET)

Application fee is $250, must be recertified every 5 years

Certification is recognized by: North Carolina, Oregon, National Association of Counties

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What will the future of GIS

education look like?

Will we have nationally accepted GIS core competencies?

Will GIS/geospatial literacy be part of our general education?

Will there be DOL occupational titles for GIS?

Will GIS certificate and degree programs be aligned with professional certification knowledge and skill requirements?

Will GIS courses easily articulate among institutions?

Will we all know what we should be teaching?

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The true potential of Professional

Certification will not be realized unless it is

able to link higher education and workforce

needs to professional organizations.

Workforce needs, DOL occupational titles and labor market information

Higher education:

Associates, Bachelors,

Graduate, Certificates

Professional Societies,

Certifying Organizations

[Don’t develop certification criteria without a broad-based group of stakeholders]

Professional

Certification

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Are we teaching the right things?

1. Are our students employable?

2. Do faculty know what they should be teaching?

3. Can our students transfer easily among institutions?

4. Do the students know what they know and know what they don’t?

5. Can credit/acknowledgement be given for prior work experience?

6. Does the system allow for multiple entry and exit points?

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No matter how great of a

teacher we are…

We need to work together

to accomplish these goals!