THE WEB COURSE IN CARTOGRAPHY
Some preliminary thoughts
David Fraser
Member
International Cartographic Association (ICA) - Commission on Education and Training
PART A - BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Part A is a summary of aspects of the web course on cartography as presented by Professor Ormeling (ICA Secretary-General) in his paper "WWW Cartography Courses" published as part of the Proceedings of the Seminars on Developing the ICA-CET Internet Cartography Course held at Budapest (Hungary), February 4-5, 2000 and Apatity (Russia), August 22-24, 2000
The need for the web course on cartography
ˇ Numbers of students and trainees in cartography proper are relatively small
ˇ It is only in the larger countries that independent cartography programmes can exist
ˇ For smaller countries the alternatives are less specialised and less frequent education and training
ˇ No separate WWW cartography courses exist
Characteristics of the course
ˇ Independent
ˇ Full-fledged cartography web course
ˇ To set a standard in cartography teaching
Web Course Objectives
"The proposed terms of reference for the ICA Commission on Education and Training for the term 1999-2003 are to produce an ICA-sponsored Internet cartography teaching programme, with regional workshops, for training the teachers'. The objectives of the web course are therefore to provide sufficient knowledge for the visualisation of spatial information at a BSc level through the medium of Internet with adequate possibilities for interaction with teachers".
Existing cartography courses or cartography course modules should be considered for the ICA webcourse.
A template should be created to provide a common format for the modules.
"The existence of a cartography web course of a high standard, there will be an outstanding teaching opportunity freely available on the web, and this will have its effect far beyond that time".
Some benefits:
ˇ May be the only opportunity for teaching
ˇ Provide an opportunity to upgrade existing courses
ˇ Used as a supplement to existing courses
ˇ Provide a standard for comparison with existing courses
Implementation
ˇ Where no classical cartography courses can be provided
ˇ Where the number of students is small
ˇ Where students live far apart
Requirements
ˇ participants must have access to the web several hours per week
ˇ colour printing facilities
ˇ a scanner (preferred)
ˇ access to a graphics department or cartography section
ˇ a library - to provide some basic literature
ˇ literature referred to in the course should be accessible through the web as well
Access and Interaction
ˇ Free access to the course material
ˇ Able to be downloaded
ˇ Subject to copyright
ˇ Not for commercial exploitation
Requirements for course participants (students/lecturers)
ˇ able to check upon their progress
ˇ some interaction is necessary
ˇ provide questions, the answers to which can be found elsewhere in the module.
ˇ participants send in their test results to be corrected/graded by teachers
ˇ a help desk
ˇ appointment of people to help out during specific periods of time
ˇ regional workshops for training the teachers
See also the document [Internet Cartography Course - ICA-CET by Laszlo Zentai and Ferjan Ormeling, Bonn 1999]
PART B LIST OF TOPICS
Below is the list of topics and proposed coordinators as compiled by Professor Vladimir Tikunov. This list was the main outcome from the CET meeting in Apatity, Russia (August 24, 2000).
TOPICS COORDINATOR
Maps and cartography - main definitions T. Morita (Japan),
A, Wolodtschenko (Germany)
Map Projections I and II F. Ormeling (The Netherlands),
L. Zentai (Hungary)
Nature of cartographic representation D. Fraser (Australia), V.Tikunov (Russia)
Generalisation I, II and III H.-U. Feldmann, Weibel (Switzerland)
Topographic mapping I and II K. Pershel (Sweden)
(Including relief representation)
Statistical map design H. Kern (Germany)
Colour use D. Fraser (Australia),
A. Brown (The Netherlands)
Map use A. Berlyant (Russia). F. Hoffmann(Germany)
Atlases F.Ormeling(The Netherlands), Liao Ke (China)
Toponymy N.Kadmon (Israel),
F,Ormeling(The Netherlands)
Legal aspects and Copyright D.Grunreich (Germany),
J,Morrison (USA)
Reproduction processes E. S.Harju (Finland),
Sjef van der Steen (The Netherlands)
Databases F,Bouille (France),
Kelmelis (USA)
Digital mapping K.Sijmons (The Netherlands),
E.Sikerska (Canada)
Graphic formats and conversion L.Zentai (Hungary)
Internet mapping Kraak (The Netherlands)
Cartography and GIS A.Yeh (Hong Kong)
* Topics may consist of one or more modules depending on their importance and development needs.
PART C WEB COURSE - SEQUENCE OF ACTIVITIES (Subject to development)
ACTIVITY PENDING ONGOING COMPLETED
Main topics identified X
Coordinators identified X
Topic outlines developed X
Course structure developed X
Template created for web pages X (ITC)
Template distributed to coordinators X
Specifications developed for web site X
Web site designed to specifications X
Guidelines for authors prepared X
Lecture notes prepared (for each topic) X
Tutorial exercises prepared (for each topic) X
Practical exercises prepared (for each topic) X
Templates populated with prepared material X
Web site introductory content developed X
Web site populated with topic modules X
Logistics planning X
Testing of web site X
Refinement of web site X
Limited trial of website X
Refinement of website X
Release of website X
PART D COURSE STRUCTURE (Indicative only)
ICA WEB Cartography - Course Structure
|
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN |
|
|
CARTOGRAPHY |
|||||||||||||
|
Course Code XXXXX |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
First Year |
Dur |
Start |
Cont |
N.C. |
Pts |
|
Second Year |
Dur |
Start |
Cont |
N.C. |
Pts |
||||
|
ICA100 |
Maps and Cartography. |
2 |
1 |
2.5 |
3.5 |
12 |
|
ICA200 |
Map Projections II |
2 |
1 |
2.5 |
3.5 |
12 |
||
|
ICA101 |
Nature of Cartog. Rep. |
1 |
1 |
5.0 |
7.0 |
12 |
|
ICA201 |
Generalisation II |
1 |
2 |
3.0 |
3.0 |
6 |
||
|
ICA102 |
Topographic Mapping I |
2 |
1 |
2.5 |
3.5 |
6 |
|
ICA202 |
Topographic Mapping II |
1 |
2 |
5.0 |
7.0 |
12 |
||
|
ICA103 |
Digital Mapping I |
2 |
1 |
2.5 |
3.5 |
12 |
|
ICA203 |
Colour Use |
1 |
1 |
2.0 |
4.0 |
6 |
||
|
ICA104 |
Map Projections I |
2 |
1 |
1.0 |
2.0 |
12 |
|
ICA204 |
Reproduction Processes |
2 |
1 |
3.0 |
3.0 |
12 |
||
|
ICA105 |
Generalisation I |
1 |
2 |
3.0 |
3.0 |
6 |
|
ICA205 |
Databases |
2 |
1 |
3.0 |
3.0 |
12 |
||
|
ICA106 |
Graphic formats and conv. |
1 |
1 |
3.0 |
3.0 |
6 |
|
ICA206 |
Legal Aspects and Copyright |
2 |
1 |
3.0 |
3.0 |
12 |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Totals |
|
|
|
|
|
66 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
72 |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Third Year |
Dur |
Start |
Cont |
N.C. |
Pts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
ICA300 |
Statistical Map Design |
1 |
1 |
2.5 |
3.5 |
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
ICA301 |
Map Use |
1 |
2 |
6.0 |
6.0 |
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
ICA302 |
Atlases |
1 |
2 |
4.0 |
2.0 |
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
ICA303 |
Toponymy |
2 |
1 |
1.0 |
2.0 |
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
ICA304 |
Generalisation III |
1 |
2 |
3.0 |
3.0 |
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
ICA305 |
Internet Mapping |
2 |
1 |
3.0 |
3.0 |
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
ICA306 |
Cartography and GIS |
2 |
1 |
1.0 |
2.0 |
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Totals |
|
|
|
|
|
54 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Dur = Duration, Start = Start semester, Cont = Web contact required per week, N.C. = non-contact or student guided hours, Pts = Points allocated to the unit (if applicable).
PART E TOPIC OUTLINE TEMPLATE (Indicative only)
ˇ insert TOPIC TITLE
ˇ insert BACKGROUND TO TOPIC
ˇ insert SUMMARY OF THE CONTENT OF THE TOPIC MODULES [I, II]
ˇ insert LINKAGES TO OTHER TOPICS
ˇ insert RESOURCE REQUIREMENTS
ˇ insert AUTHORED BY:
Nature of Cartographic Representation ICA101
Subject Number: ICA101
Subject Name: Nature of Cartographic Representation
Subject Coordinator: V. Tikunov
Credit Points: 12
Web site Guided Hours (per week): 2.5
Learner Directed Hours (per week): 3.5
Duration (semesters): 2
Pre-requisite Subjects: nil
Co-requisite Subjects: nil
Subject Description:
This subject introduces students to the basic principles of cartographic representation. It includes a study of map symbology and map types. Methods of transforming the physical environment into a map product are examined, as are elements of symbol design. Historical, contemporary and future modes of cartographic representation are introduced.
Objectives:
To enable students to obtain:
an understanding of the nature of maps and the history of mapping;
skill in the use of different types of cartographic representation;
an ability to interpret maps - on both quantitative and qualitative levels;
an understanding of the graphic principles involved in map design;
an appreciation of available map types;
an understanding of the principles involved in the map representation process;
an introduction to contemporary map products and modes of delivery
an introduction to the future of mapping
Study Program:
The Nature of Maps
- Historical perspective
- Paper to digital
- Digital to multimedia
Map resources and map types
Contemporary map use
- "tools" for map use
- topographic maps - choropleth, dot, proportional and point symbol, flow and isarithmic
- thematic maps
Map Making
- map compilation and generalisation
- map projections
- data depiction
- relief representation
- map replication
Elements of Map Design
- typography
- symbology
- colour
- axonometric drawing and statistical diagrams
- case study; design of newspaper maps and maps for projected display
This subject is presented as a series of web based lectures, and tutorials, together with some practical exercises. Tutorial exercises, which form part of the assessment, are required to be submitted electronically throughout the year and provide valuable feedback on student learning progress.
Tutorial exercises 40%
Web based exercises 30%
On-line testing 30%
Submission dates:
To be advised
Assessment Gradings: H, D, C, P, N
Prescribed References:
Robinson, Morrison, Muehrcke, Kimerling, Guptill 1995, Elements of Cartography, 6th Edition, Wiley.
Recommended References:
Anson, R.W. (ed.) 1984, Basic Cartography for students and Technicians, Vol. 1, ICA.
PART F RESOURCES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF WEB PAGES
From the GIS and Cartography On-line Resources at the University of British Columbia comes the following site which may assist some of us to understand what to include on the web pages and how to go about it.
http://www.geog.ubc.ca/courses/klink/resources/intro_res.html
The HTML Resource Page -------- A few links to get you started with HTML
Topic headings:
ˇ Do it right - Web Design Principles
ˇ Introduction to HTML
ˇ Advanced HTML
ˇ Home pages made easy
ˇ Graphics and Images
ˇ Animation
ˇ Interactive Graphics
ˇ Other Niffy Stuff
I hope that the information presented in this paper contributes to moving our dream of building a web based cartography course just a bit closer.
I regret not being able to attend the meeting of our Commission in Helsinki (2002) and I wish that all Commission members have a fruitful and enjoyable meeting.
Compiled by:
David Fraser
Senior Lecturer
Department of GeoSpatial Science
RMIT University
GPO Box 2476V
Melbourne 3001
+61 3 9925 3265
Mapping Sciences Institute, Australia - Education Program Manager
Member - ICA Commission on Education and Training