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Action Research for a New e-Learning GPS/Surveying Platform (4154)

Kefei Zhang, Erjiang Fu, Gang-Jun Liu, Stuart Whitman and Ming Zhu (Australia)
Mr. Erjiang Fu
RMIT University
SMGS
GPO Box 2476V
Melbourne
3001
Australia
 
Corresponding author Mr. Erjiang Fu (email: erjiang.fu[at]rmit.edu.au, tel.: + 61 3 9925 3351)
 

[ abstract ] [ paper ] [ handouts ]

Published on the web 2010-01-14
Received 2009-11-19 / Accepted 2010-01-14
This paper is one of selection of papers published for the FIG Congress 2010 in Sydney, Australia and has undergone the FIG Peer Review Process.

FIG Congress 2010
ISBN 978-87-90907-87-7 ISSN 2308-3441
http://www.fig.net/resources/proceedings/fig_proceedings/fig2010/index.htm

Abstract

In order to assist the surveying industry face unprecedented international economic, environmental and governance challenges the educational challenges of the GPS/Surveying discipline need to be confronted. These challenges centre on the alignment of curriculum and assessment with new technology tools to overcome conceptual and technical complexity in teaching and learning. The result will be graduates who are better equipped to apply work ready knowledge and skills to solve critical problems in a global context. Like RMIT University where the action research project outlined in this paper was undertaken, all international universities are striving to produce graduates able to meet the burgeoning needs of the surveying sector operating in the international market. The GPS/Surveying team at RMIT is a key education provider in Australia for both higher education (HE) and technical and further education (TAFE). Since 2007, the GPS/Surveying team undertook a three-year action research project to redesign the GPS/Surveying curriculum across a number of university programs. The redesign has focused on an industry-based problem approach interfaced with a new web-based multimedia learning tool. This has sought to address limitations presented by discipline complexity exacerbated by conventional classroom resources and teaching and learning (T&L) methods. A new E-learning platform for GPS/Surveying has been developed through the project. This paper describes the project’s rationale, objectives, methodology, development stages, outcomes and evaluation. Key stakeholders of the university and surveying industry, as well as student input in the development of the learning tool that has been critical to the success of the project. This collaborative project model between the education and industry sector points the way forward for achieving the ends of the surveying industry in playing a central role in assisting business and government to build capacity to face global challenges.
 
Keywords: Education; GNSS/GPS; surveying; geospatial; multimedia; web-based

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