Image Processing Division

New Approach on Teaching GEOTECHNOLOGY

Hilcéa S. Ferreira

Leila Maria G. Fonseca

Julio Cesar L. d´Alge

Antonio Miguel V. Monteiro

(hilcea,leila,julio,miguel)@dpi.inpe.br

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Outline

History•Geotechnology•SPRING•Training: traditional setting

Increasing demand + Redesign = E-learning

TelEduc Platform

•Tools•Advantages•Disadvantages

Conclusions

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Geotechnology

Set of technologies, methods, tools to support the geoprocessing.

Geoprocessing embraces the subjects of GIS, Remote Sensing, Cartography, Photogrammetry, GPS etc.

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SPRING

GIS developed at INPE (1991) Freely distributed via internet or CD-ROM Training program to use SPRING

Knowledge areas:

Spatial analysis

Image processing

Digital elevation model

Remote Sensing

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Partnership

1999

EDUCATION PROJECT

+Latin American Society of Remote Sensing Experts

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Training in Geotechnology

•SPRING

•Introduction to Geoprocessing

•Introduction to Remote Sensing

•Digital Image Processing

•Spatial Analysis

•Geographic Database

•Digital Terrain Model

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Educational Delivery Model

Traditional setting: face to face relationship

between the instructor and the students

At INPE or at clients’ institutions

Multimedia Laboratory

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Courses format

Total duration: 40 hours (usually 1 week, 8 hours per day)

Maximum number of students: 12

Minimal technical requirements:

6 microcomputers (IBM-PC) for the students and 1 for

the instructor

Multimedia Projector

White board or flip-chart

1 Color Inkjet Printer, Postscript option;

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Increasing Demand

In 2001 184 people trained at INPE

•SPRING: 80

•Introduction to Geoprocessing (21)

•Digital Image Processing (29)

•Introduction to Remote Sensing (06)

•Spatial Analysis (24)

•Geographic Database (24).

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Increasing Demand

In 2001 319 people trained at

other companies and institutes

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Redesign

New Methodologies

The next logical step in an educational delivery

system ...

?E-learning or Web-Based distance courses: distance learning using technologies + the Internet

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Why E-learning?

•Reduction of costs

•Time flexibility

•Independence of geographic distance

•New communication resources: e-mail, chat, bulletin

board

•Creation of a collaborative learning environment

•Students assume control of learning (learner-centered):

learning pace and development

•Gathering, in the same course, people of similar

application areas

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E-learning - packages

Around the world

•WebCT

•Lotus Learning Space

•Aulanet

•Projeto Virtus

•TelEduc

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TelEduc

•Easiness of use by people who are not

specialists in computers

•Flexibility with the way you use it

•Sharp set of functionalities

And ... Best of all

IT IS FREE!!

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TelEduc - Tools for Students

•Getting acquainted with the environment

•Method and organization of the course

*Environment Structure

*Course Dynamics

*Frequently Asked Questions

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TelEduc - Tools for Students

*Agenda

*Activities

*Support Material

*Readings

*Required Stop

•Making content available

•Proposing activities

•Suggesting additional readings

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TelEduc - Tools for Students

*Bulletin Board

*Discussion Forums

*Chat Mail

*Groups

*Profiles

INTERACTION

STUDENTS & STUDENTS

STUDENT & INSTRUCTOR

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TelEduc - Tools for Instructors

*Access

*Intermap

Interaction visibility: students’ participation in the course

*Administration

*Support

Course management and support

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Web-based Course

What gets incorporated online?

Adjustments?

Technical requirements must include an Internet service and compatible browsers

Internet Explorer or Netscape version 4 or higher

Self-paced course students must commit at least 8-9 hours per week (40 hours distributed in 5 weeks)

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Web-based Course

Using the tools available at TelEduc:

• Profile

• Bulletin Board

• Chat

• Internal Mail

• Discussion Forums

Trying to avoid

The isolation feeling

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Conclusions

Using the tools to keep this great opportunity for students to exchange data and information

In development: prototype course Introduction to Geoprocessing