ABSTRACT The Body of Knowledge for Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIS&T B... more ABSTRACT The Body of Knowledge for Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIS&T BoK) has been the main reference document for curriculum design in the geospatial domain. Today, the BoK is supposed to have fallen short in adequately covering the domain due to significant conceptual and technological advances in the field. Thus, several initiatives around the globe work towards an update of the GIS&T BoK. This research assesses the demands of today's GIS&T workforce across Europe to contribute to the effort of a demand-oriented update. We assessed the workforce demand by means of a Europe-wide distributed online questionnaire and complementary expert interviews. The results show that the BoK still is a comprehensive reference base for the geospatial domain that is generally deemed relevant by the European workforce. However, workforce demands point to three main topics that need to be addressed by an update of the BoK: (1) the shift from primary data acquisition to the handling of highly abundant spatial data; (2) a lack of competences in programming and application development; and (3) a poor coverage of web-related aspects. Future research should complement workforce demands with a review of the scientific literature to identify additional shortcomings related to conceptual advances.
Geographic Information Science (GIS) is concerned with representing spatial structures in a suita... more Geographic Information Science (GIS) is concerned with representing spatial structures in a suitable way in order to facilitate analysing and learning processes and thus help education. Whereas static maps (chapter 1) have been known for millennia, the suitable representation of dynamic change in spatial structures is still a challenging issue. The present contribution collects case studies (chapter 2) on various strategies to demonstrate graphic representations for the temporal behaviour of spatial structures, be they of geographical, geological, ecological, economic, medical or evolutionary nature. This paper investigates the question: “How can we map structural change?”
We propose different methods to represent "time" in geographic and other perceptions of... more We propose different methods to represent "time" in geographic and other perceptions of reality. One appropriate method is to show effects of the procedures which take "place" along the continuum of "time". Similarly, perspectives on reality can be "mapped" – such is the core of geography. This presents a special opportunity for IT to develop tools for various disciplines which are then inter-changeable. IT allows views on new worlds. These worlds arise by applying new perspectives to known reality. IT helps to organise the complexity of the resulting views. IT creates images of reality. IT is able to move from "Geographic Information Science" to "Interperspective Information Science".
International Journal of Geographical Information Science
An understanding of the sources of uncertainty in an ecological model proves beneficial for: 1 de... more An understanding of the sources of uncertainty in an ecological model proves beneficial for: 1 developing a structurally valid model in a systematic way; 2 deciding if further refinement of the conceptual model is beneficial for the modelling purpose; and 3 interpreting the overall model uncertainty by understanding its sources. Our approach results in a guideline for assessing uncertainty in the validation of simulation models in a feasible and defensible way, and thus functions as a toolbox for modellers. We consider this work as a contribution towards a general concept of uncertainty in spatially explicit simulation models.
Perspectives" are seen as the basic element of realities. We propose different methods to &q... more Perspectives" are seen as the basic element of realities. We propose different methods to "map" time, sspace, economic levels and other perceptions of reality. IT allows views on new worlds. These worlds arise by applying new perspectives to known reality. IT helps to organise the complexity of the resulting views.
ABSTRACT Geographic Information Science & Technology (GIS&T) is constantly evolvi... more ABSTRACT Geographic Information Science & Technology (GIS&T) is constantly evolving in scientific and technological terms. In 2006 the GIS&T Body of Knowledge (BoK) initiative has provided a domain inventory that serves as a structured basis for curriculum development. The content and structure of the BoK are currently undergoing revision. One of the projects addressing an update of the BoK is the project Geographic Information: Need to Know. In this project an assessment of current and future workforce demand and educational supply in the geographic information (GI) domain provide the basis for revising the BoK. This article reports on first results from a survey regarding GI workforce demand in Europe. People working in the GIS&T domain were asked to rate BoK knowledge areas related to their relevance in a professional working context. These ratings are differentiated by types of organizations and educational backgrounds of respondents. The report is rounded off with an outlook to the results on future competences identified by respondents.
ABSTRACT The Body of Knowledge for Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIS&T B... more ABSTRACT The Body of Knowledge for Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIS&T BoK) has been the main reference document for curriculum design in the geospatial domain. Today, the BoK is supposed to have fallen short in adequately covering the domain due to significant conceptual and technological advances in the field. Thus, several initiatives around the globe work towards an update of the GIS&T BoK. This research assesses the demands of today's GIS&T workforce across Europe to contribute to the effort of a demand-oriented update. We assessed the workforce demand by means of a Europe-wide distributed online questionnaire and complementary expert interviews. The results show that the BoK still is a comprehensive reference base for the geospatial domain that is generally deemed relevant by the European workforce. However, workforce demands point to three main topics that need to be addressed by an update of the BoK: (1) the shift from primary data acquisition to the handling of highly abundant spatial data; (2) a lack of competences in programming and application development; and (3) a poor coverage of web-related aspects. Future research should complement workforce demands with a review of the scientific literature to identify additional shortcomings related to conceptual advances.
Geographic Information Science (GIS) is concerned with representing spatial structures in a suita... more Geographic Information Science (GIS) is concerned with representing spatial structures in a suitable way in order to facilitate analysing and learning processes and thus help education. Whereas static maps (chapter 1) have been known for millennia, the suitable representation of dynamic change in spatial structures is still a challenging issue. The present contribution collects case studies (chapter 2) on various strategies to demonstrate graphic representations for the temporal behaviour of spatial structures, be they of geographical, geological, ecological, economic, medical or evolutionary nature. This paper investigates the question: “How can we map structural change?”
We propose different methods to represent "time" in geographic and other perceptions of... more We propose different methods to represent "time" in geographic and other perceptions of reality. One appropriate method is to show effects of the procedures which take "place" along the continuum of "time". Similarly, perspectives on reality can be "mapped" – such is the core of geography. This presents a special opportunity for IT to develop tools for various disciplines which are then inter-changeable. IT allows views on new worlds. These worlds arise by applying new perspectives to known reality. IT helps to organise the complexity of the resulting views. IT creates images of reality. IT is able to move from "Geographic Information Science" to "Interperspective Information Science".
International Journal of Geographical Information Science
An understanding of the sources of uncertainty in an ecological model proves beneficial for: 1 de... more An understanding of the sources of uncertainty in an ecological model proves beneficial for: 1 developing a structurally valid model in a systematic way; 2 deciding if further refinement of the conceptual model is beneficial for the modelling purpose; and 3 interpreting the overall model uncertainty by understanding its sources. Our approach results in a guideline for assessing uncertainty in the validation of simulation models in a feasible and defensible way, and thus functions as a toolbox for modellers. We consider this work as a contribution towards a general concept of uncertainty in spatially explicit simulation models.
Perspectives" are seen as the basic element of realities. We propose different methods to &q... more Perspectives" are seen as the basic element of realities. We propose different methods to "map" time, sspace, economic levels and other perceptions of reality. IT allows views on new worlds. These worlds arise by applying new perspectives to known reality. IT helps to organise the complexity of the resulting views.
ABSTRACT Geographic Information Science & Technology (GIS&T) is constantly evolvi... more ABSTRACT Geographic Information Science & Technology (GIS&T) is constantly evolving in scientific and technological terms. In 2006 the GIS&T Body of Knowledge (BoK) initiative has provided a domain inventory that serves as a structured basis for curriculum development. The content and structure of the BoK are currently undergoing revision. One of the projects addressing an update of the BoK is the project Geographic Information: Need to Know. In this project an assessment of current and future workforce demand and educational supply in the geographic information (GI) domain provide the basis for revising the BoK. This article reports on first results from a survey regarding GI workforce demand in Europe. People working in the GIS&T domain were asked to rate BoK knowledge areas related to their relevance in a professional working context. These ratings are differentiated by types of organizations and educational backgrounds of respondents. The report is rounded off with an outlook to the results on future competences identified by respondents.
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