Awareness of Capabilities and Applications of GIS Southampton Michael Clark Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have become a major IT development area in teaching, research, government, the public services, commerce and industry. This new technology is involving many groups that had not previously had a strong commitment to computer databases or graphics. In addition, it often relies upon complex software, which poses new problems to IT specialists who are required to support applications development or computing service provision to the new categories of user. The GIS Training/Awareness project will thus develop support materials aimed mainly at: - New users (academic staff, research staff, project staff) - Staff of computing/IT service providers - Those charged with evaluating, selecting or implementing a new GIS The project will provide a graded series of presentation media, backed up by training data sets and applications which illustrate the range of GIS function. The first pilot implementations will be under way early in 1992. The GeoData Institute GIS Training/Awareness project has three aims: - to identify the distinct training and awareness needs of different potential user groups. - to innovate the content and structure of the GIS concepts and skills to be presented in the training materials produced. - to innovate the delivery media through which to present these materials. Presentation will be appropriate to need and content, but will include disc-based storyboard shows, multi-media programmes and training packages. GIS functions and operation will be illustrated through a sequence of environmental applications chosen to demonstrate good science and effective management in an accessible way. The project will be seeking assistance in the identification of training needs and in evaluation of pilot materials. Please address queries or express an interest to the Project Co-ordinator, Dr Michael Clark- GeoData Institute, University of Southampton, Southampton S09 5NH: Fax (0703) 592849: Phone (0703) 583565: Email GEODATA@UK.AC.SOTON.IBM. _______________________________________________________________________ | | | In general the copyright for material on the NISS Bulletin Board | | is held by the CHEST & NISS Centre (University of Bath) or by the | | authors. | | | | Copying or reproduction of the material is permitted provided that | | | | (a) the source is acknowledged | | and (b) the material is not used for commercial gain. | | | | However, material must not be made available outside the academic | | community without prior consent. | |_______________________________________________________________________|