INTRODUCTION OF TURKISH VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS RELATED JOBS

Yıl 2019, Sayı: 40, 393 - 405, 30.07.2019

Saye Nihan Çabuk

https://doi.org/10.32003/iggei.520972

Öz

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) certification has become one of
the assets enabling the recognition of the knowledge, skills and competencies
of the persons working in a wide range of jobs and projects. Regarding this
fact, the General Directorate of GIS, Turkish Ministry of Environment and
Urbanization, was involved in the process of national vocational standards and
qualifications development for GIS related jobs between 2013-2016. Accordingly,
the main aim of this paper is to explain the process and give information about
the results of the research projects and collaborative works realized in order
to develop national vocational standards, vocational qualifications and a
certification system for GIS Operator (Level 4) and GIS Specialist (Level 6). The
overall process was mostly realized in collaboration with the Earth and Space
Sciences Institute of Eskisehir Technical University (former Anadolu
University), as well as other participants from various institutions, and
continued along with two supplementary research projects that were aimed at the
development of a comprehensive certification system for the Ministry of
Environment and Urbanization. The research projects comprised the stages of detailed
analysis and evaluations about the administrative, legal and technical
requirements in accordance with the national vocational qualifications system
and ISO/IEC 17024 standard, and were followed with the development of an
integrated software to manage all the stages of the vocational certification,
online examination, question bank development and quality assurance system. The
results are believed to be valuable and triggering inputs for the development
of other necessary vocational standards and qualifications for GIS related jobs,
raise awareness for the necessity of vocational certification and help improve
the context and quality of the GIS training/education curricula in the country.

Anahtar Kelimeler

GIS Certification, GIS Jobs, GIS Standards, National Qualification

Kaynakça

• Ahearn, S. C., Icke, I., Datta. R., DeMers, M. N., Plewe, B. & Skupin, A. (2013). Re-engineering the GIS&T body of knowledge. International Journal of Geographical Information Science, 27(11), 2227-2245.
• Albrecht, J. (1998). Issues in the qualification and certification of geoinformation personnel Proceedings of the Tenth Colloquium of the Spatial Information Research Centre (pp. 16-9). Dunedin: Spatial Information Research Centre. Retrieved January 10, 2019, from http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.528.4874&rep=rep1&type=pdf
• Bednarz, S.W. & Ludwig, G. (1997). Ten things higher education needs to know about GIS in primary and secondary education. Transactions in GIS, 2, 123–133.
• Buckley, C. & Donert, K. (2004). Evaluating e-learning courses for continuing professional development using the Conversational Model: A review of UNIGIS. European Journal of Open, Distance and E-Learning, 7(2). Retrieved January 10, 2019, from http://www.eurodl.org/materials/contrib/2004/Buckley_Donert.pdf.
• Çabuk, A. & Çabuk, S.N. (2015). Yükseköğrenim ve mesleki yeterlilik çerçevesi kapsamında coğrafi bilgi sistemlerine ilişkin ulusal meslek hiyerarşisinin tanımlanması üzerine bir öneri. Harita Teknolojileri Elektronik Dergisi, 7(3), 45-52.
• Çabuk, A., Avdan, U., Uyguçgil, H., Çabuk, S. N., Erdoğan, E., Tiryakioğlu, İ., Köksoy, E. & İravul, Y. (2014). CBS eğitimi için uzaktan eğitim destekli bir pilot uygulaması. 7. Ulusal Mühendislik Ölçmeleri Sempozyumu’nda sunulmuştur. Çorum, Turkey.
• Çabuk, S. N., Erdoğan, S. & Çabuk, A. (2016a). Using distance learning methods for increasing geographical information systems utilization capacity. Turkish Online Journal of Education Technology, Special Issue for INTE2016, 1283-1290.
• Çabuk, S. N., Erdoğan, S. & Çabuk, A. (2016b). Vocational qualifications and certification system development for GIS jobs: ministry of environment and urbanization case. Turkish Online Journal of Education Technology, Special Issue for INTE2016, 1309-1317.
• CEDEFOP, (2018). European qualifications framework (EQF). Retrieved November 22, 2018, from http://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/events-and-projects/projects/european- qualifications-framework-eqf.
• Coppock, J. T. (1992). GIS education in Europe. International Journal of Geographical Information Systems, 6(4), 333-335.
• DeMers, M. N. (2009). Using intended learning objectives to assess curriculum materials: The UCGIS body of knowledge. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 33(1), 70- S77.
• DiBiase, D. (2007). Is GIS a Wampeter? Transactions in GIS, 11, 1–8.
• DiBiase, D. (2012). Strengthening the GIS profession. Retrieved August 14, 2017, ArcNews Summer 2012, ESRI. http://www.esri.com/news/arcnews/summer12articles/strengthening-the-gis-profession.html.
• DiBiase, D., Corbin, T., Fox, T., Francica, J., Green, K., Jackson, J., Gary, J., Jones, B., Mennis, J., Schuckman, K., Smith, C. & Van Sickle, J. (2010). The new geospatial technology competency model: Bringing workforce needs into focus. Journal of the Urban Regional Information Systems Association, 22(2), 55-72.
• DiBiase, D., DeMers, M., Johnson, A., Kemp, K., Luck, A.T., Plewe, B. & Wentz, E. (2007). Introducing the first edition of geographic information science and technology body of knowledge. Cartography and Geographic Information Science, 34(2), 113-120.
• DOLETA, (2014). Geospatial Technology Competency Model. Retrieved August 10, 2017, https://www.careeronestop.org/CompetencyModel/competency-models/pyramid- download.aspx?industry=geospatial-technology.
• Donatelli, D. (2013). The core GIS incompetencies: identity, gender, big data, and ineptness in the cloud. The Cartographic Journal, 50(2), 192-196.
• Elwood, S. (2009). Participatory action research in geographic teaching, learning and research. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 33(1), 51-65.
• Fagin, T.D. & Wikle, T. A. (2011). The instructor element of GIS instruction at US colleges and universities. Transactions in GIS, 15(1), 1-15.
• Foote, K.E. (1997). The Geographer's craft: Teaching GIS in the web. Transactions in GIS, 2, 137–150.
• Forer, P. & Unwin, D. (1999). Enabling progress in GIS and education. In P. Longley, M.F. Goodchild, D.J. Maguire, D. Rhind, Geographical information systems: Management issues and applications, 2nd edn., Volume 2, (pp 747-757), New York:John Wiley & Sons.
• GI-N2K, (2013-2016). Geographic information: need to know, the project. Retrieved August 10, 2017, from http://www.gi-n2k.eu/the-project/.
• GIS Institute, (2017). What is the GISP? Retrieved May 10, 2017, from https://www.gisci.org/Students/AbouttheProgram.aspx.
• Goodchild, M.F. (1992). Geographical Information Science. International Journal of Geographical Information Systems, 6(1), 31-45.
• Horák, J. (2015). The role of certification in GIS&T education. Procedia - Social Behavioral Sciences, 174, 1356-1363.
• International Standardization Organization, (2012). ISO/IEC 17024: 2012. Conformity Assessment – General Requirements for Bodies Operating Certification of Persons.
• Kelly, W.E. (2007). Certification and accreditation in civil engineering. Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice, 133(3), 181-187.
• Kemp, K.K. & Frank, A.U. (1996). Toward consensus on a European GIS curriculum: the international post-graduate course on GIS. International Journal of Geographical Information Systems, 10(4), 477-497.
• Kemp, K.K. (2003). Why GIS professional certification matters to all of us. Transactions in GIS, 7(2), 159-163.
• Malczewski, J. (1999). GIS and Multicriteria Decision Analysis. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
• Mathews, A. J. & Wikle, T. A. (2017). Assessing professional benefits of GIS certification. Cartography and Geographic Information Science, 44(5), 452-462.
• Mulaku, G. C. (2013). Professionalism in GIS: International aspects of the certification debate. Journal of Geographic Information System, 5(4), 347.
• Obermeyer, N. J. (1994). GIS: A new profession?. The Professional Geographer, 46(4), 498-503.
• Obermeyer, N. J. (2007). GIS: The maturation of a profession. Cartography and Geographic Information Science, 34(2), 129-132.
• Oflaz, O.E., Bayraktar, H., Köksoy, E., Iravul, Y., Ölmez, A., Çabuk,A., Avdan, U., Çabuk, S.N., Bektöre, E., Orakoğlu, Ö., Çömert, R., Erdogan, S. & Tiryakioğlu, İ. (2013). Coğrafi bilgi sistemleri meslek standartları ve cbs kullanımının yaygınlaştırılması. TMMOB Coğrafi Bilgi Sistemleri Kongresi’nde sunulmuştur. Ankara, Turkey.
• PDRI, Inc. Aguirre International (2005) Technical Assistance Guide for Development and Using Competency Models—One Solution for a Demand-Driven Workforce System. Retrieved March 03, 2017, https://www.careeronestop.org/competencymodel/info_documents/tag.pdf.
• Prager, S.D. & Plewe, B. (2009). Assessment and evaluation of GIScience curriculum using the geographic information science and technology body of knowledge. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 33(1), 46-S69.
• Raper, J. & Green, N. (1992). Teaching the principles of GIS: Lessons from the GISTutor project. International Journal of Geographical Information Systems, 6(4), 279-290.
• Rickles, P., Ellul, C. & Haklay, M. (2017). A suggested framework and guidelines for learning GIS in interdisciplinary research. Geo: Geography and Environment, 4(2).
• Rip, F.I., Wallentin. G. & van Lammeren, R.J.A. (2014). Integrated analysis of the demand for and supply of geospatial education and training: Results of the GI-N2K Surveys. Scientific Report, Wageningen University, Laboratory of Geo-information Science and Remote Sensing, Netherlands. Retrieved August 14, 2017, http://www.gi-n2k.eu/surveys- results/.
• Rogerson, P. & Fotheringham, S. (2002). GIS and spatial analysis: introduction and overview. In S. Fotheringham, P. Rogerson (Eds.), Spatial Analysis and GIS, 3rd edn. (pp 1- 10). London: Taylor and Francis Group.
• Rogerson, R. J. (1992). Teaching generic GIS using commercial software. International Journal of Geographical Information Systems, 6(4), 321-331.
• Sarı, F. (2013). Türkiye’de CBS öğretimi üzerine bir değerlendirme. TMMOB Coğrafi Bilgi Sistemleri Kongresi’nde sunulmuştur. Ankara, Turkey.
• Schulze, U., Kanwischer, D. & Reudenbach, C. (2013). Essential competences for GIS learning in higher education: A synthesis of international curricular documents in the GIS&T domain. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 37(2), 257-275.
• Şeremet, M. & Chalkley, B. (2016). Geography, GIS and employability in Turkey. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 40(2), 238-253.
• Taş, H. İ. (2006). Farklı CBS eğitim metodları ve programları. Marmara Coğrafya Dergisi, (13), 49-66.
• Uça Avcı, D., Uça Güneş, P. & Çabuk, A. (2015). Uzaktan eğitim ile uzaktan algılama ve coğrafi bilgi sistemleri eğitimlerinin verilmesine dair bir değerlendirme. Harita Teknolojileri Elektronik Dergisi, 7(3), 53-68.
• UCGIS, (2006). Geographic Information Science and Technology Body of Knowledge. Washington: Association of American Geographers.
• UCGIS, (2017). KE- 31 - Professional certification. Retrieved May 05, 2017, from http://gistbok.ucgis.org/bok-topics/professional-certification.
• URISA, (2012). Geospatial management competency model. Retrieved May 21, 2018, http://www.urisa.org/clientuploads/directory/GMI/Advocacy/GMCM%20final.pdf.
• USGIF, (2018). Professional certification. Retrieved May 21, 2018, http://usgif.org/certification.
• Wallentin, G., Hofer, B. & Traun, C. (2015). Assessment of workforce demands to shape GIS&T Education. Transactions in GIS, 19, 439–454.
• Waters, N. M. (2013). The geographic information science body of knowledge 2.0: Toward a new federation of GIS knowledge. In O. Arnold, W. Spickermann, N. Spyratos, Y. Tanaka (Eds.), Webble technology, communications in computer and information science, Proceedings of the First Webble World Summit (pp. 129-142). Berlin: Springer.
• Wikle, T. A. & Fagin, T. D. (2015). Hard and soft skills in preparing GIS professionals: Comparing perceptions of employers and educators. Transactions in GIS, 19(5), 641-652.
• Wikle, T. A. (1998). Continuing education and competency programmes in GIS. International Journal of Geographical Information Science, 12(5), 491-507.
• Worboys, M.F. & Duckham, M. (2004). GIS: A Computing Perspective (2nd ed.).New York: CRC Press.
• Yiğit, İ., Ataol, M. & Dinç, A. (2011). Coğrafya bölümlerindeki CBS eğitimi ve CBS’nin gerekliliği. Marmara Coğrafya Dergisi, (24), 312-331.
• Young, M. (2005). National qualifications frameworks: Their feasibility for effective implementation in developing countries (No. 376646). Geneva: International Labor Organization. Retrieved November 22, 2018, from http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_emp/---ifp_skills/documents/publication/wcms_103626.pdf.