Expanding Geospatial Technician Education Through Virginia’s Community Colleges

GeoTEd InstituteJune 1, 2013

NSF ATE DUE-0903270; 1205110

GeoTEd is…Funded by the NSF-Advanced

Technological Education (ATE) Program - $899,870 $899,870; October 2012 to 2015 6-state region (VA, TN, WV, KY, MD, NC)

Three year new ATE Project building on the work of the GTEVCC Project Ending April 30, 2013

Mission: to increase the number of geospatial technicians prepared to work to meet the growing demand in Virginia

GeoTEd Partners• Virginia Western Community College (VWCC)• Thomas Nelson Community College (TNCC)• Southwest Virginia Community College

(SWCC)• J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College

(JSRCC)• Virginia Geospatial Extension Program at

Virginia Tech (VGEP)• Virginia Space Grant Consortium (Project

Administrator)

GeoTEd Partners• VWCC – David Webb, Associate Professor of

Mechanical Engineering Technology and GIS• TNCC – Cherie Aukland, Associate Professor of

IT & Program Head for GIS• SWCC – Sandy Stephenson, Professor

Information Systems Technology• JSRCC – Wen Andrews, Professor and Program

Head, Department of Architectural & Civil Engineering Technology

• VT – Dr. John McGee, Virginia Geospatial Extension Agent

• VSGC – Chris Carter and Scott Bellows

GeoTEd Affiliate PartnersVirginia Community College System (VCCS)

John Tyler Community CollegeTidewater Community College

Northern Virginia Community CollegeVirginia Assoc. for Mapping & Land Information

Systems (VAMLIS)NASA Langley Research Center

Virginia Department of EducationESRI

International Technology Education Assoc.Virginia Geographic Information Network

(VGIN)James Madison University

Michael Baker Jr., Inc.Virginia Information Technology Agency (VITA)

City of WilliamsburgDominion Virginia PowerBluefield State College

Northeast State Technical Community CollegeKinder GIS Services

Tazewell CountyRussell County

City of Newport NewsR&K Solutions

WorldView SolutionsTimmons Group

National GeoTech CenterBotetourt Technical Education Center

GeoTEd Affiliate Partners

Meeting the Geospatial NeedOccupational Information Network (O*NET) (DOL)

15 occupations related to ‘geospatial technologies’ (GST) 22 related to ‘GIS’ All 22 have a ‘Bright Outlook’ (employment increase of 20% or

more) during 2008-2018 defined as new and emerging occupations in a high growth

industry.Virginia - one of five states predicted to have the most

growth and demand for GST employees (Odinjobs.com) 5 state region (moderate growth)

DOL Report Recommendations – (re GST) ‘Community colleges should assume a strong role in training new GST technicians and providing professional development.

Meeting the Geospatial NeedBringing Together Education, Employers, GST Professionals Leveraging the VCCS and Regional Subject-Matter ExpertsAffordable Faculty and Teacher Professional DevelopmentStructured Mentoring and SupportIncreased Access to GST Courses

GeoTEd -- Prior ImpactsVWCC updated curriculum added specialization

in ITJTCC, TCC, SWCC, DSLCC started career

studies certificate in GISTCC is developing an Associates Degree in GIS

that includes direct articulation with ODUOther colleges are close to GST certificate

programs (PDCCC, JSRCC).17 faculty and 7 high school dual-enrollment

teachers attended 2-year cohort workshop hosted by VT

45 high school teachers trained

GeoTEd -- Prior Impacts• At least 20 newly-developed GST-based college

courses are now being offered (VCCS) TNCC: GIS 200,201,210,205 SWCC: GIS 200, 201, 205, 215 TCC: GIS 101, 203, 215, 255, 298 GCC: GIS 200 JSRCC: GIS 295 DSLCC: Intro to GIS, GIS Forest Mapping JTCC: GIS 101

GeoTEd -- Prior ImpactsGST has been integrated into other non-GIS courses:

• JSRCC: GPS is being integrated into CIV 171 and CIV 172 (Intro. & Intermed. Surveying)

• DSLCC: GST : Integrated GIS into almost all Forestry based classes, including the use of GPS and handheld field computers

• SVCC: Integrating GST into Fire Science courses• SVCC: Supporting decision support for the nursing

program• TCC: GPS technology is used in CIV courses as well

as some Geology courses.

GeoTEd -- Prior Impacts• 100s of students (both High School and College)

have been reached.• Team members as guest speakers and GST

mentors at high schools and colleges throughout the state

• Dual enrollment courses were developed between Fairfax Co. Public Schools and JMU, and between Montgomery Co. Public Schools and NRCC.

• NVCC will offer a 2-wk GST program to ‘at risk’ 10th graders. PDCCC in planning a summer GST workshop for K-12 faculty

• Many High School and Community College Students and Faculty Involved in GIS Day.

GeoTEd -- Prior Impacts• A geospatial laboratory was provided by a

grant from the DOL and administered by NVCC in partnership with VWCC, with 20 workstations, GPS units, textbooks, and supporting resources is valued at more than $35,000.

• Several high school and community college labs have been opened and equipped with GST software (e.g., ArcGIS, Erdas) and hardware.

GeoTEd GoalsGoal 1– Increase the delivery of GST courses, the

integration of GST into existing courses, and create GST pathways (certificates and/or specializations) at three diverse (geographic and demographic) community colleges that meet local workforce demand, and serve as effective models for other community colleges.

Goal 2 – Develop community college faculty expertise and capabilities in GST in Virginia and surrounding states through intensive hands-on workshops and mentoring.

Goal 3 – Increase the integration of GST and the awareness of GST careers in precollege education.

Goal 4 – Increase enrollment and diversity of students in GST pathways at community colleges.

GeoTEd ComponentsFaculty Professional Development

Faculty Mentoring and Support

GST Academic Pathway Models

Alignment with GTCM

Distance Learning Courses

GST Web Portal

Mobile Apps

Teacher Professional Development

GeoTEd WebPortal (geoted.org)

Update and maintain the GST web portal for pathway models, curriculum, professional development materials, and other resources.

GST Workforce Pipeline- Career AwarenessBuild the GST workforce pipeline by increasing enrollment and

diversity in geospatial programs. Dual-enrollment and Articulation GST Career Awareness Materials and Website Model Brochure for GST Pathways and Careers for all VCCS

Colleges Disseminate Materials Through Regional and National

Partners