Impact of digital technology and the need for curriculum review in surveying education
Fajemirokun, Francis and Timothy Idowu
Digital technology such as computer technology, Global Positioning System (GPS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) has been having a tremendous impact on the field of surveying. This development has positively affected the scope, methods, speed of data acquisition, data management and the rate of delivery of the results (map and other map products) of data procesing. For instance, Surveyors were hitherto engaged in the act of analogue collection, processing, storage and retrieval of data and data products. Nowadays, the use of digital technology for the same tasks has gained more importance. This is because digital technology produces more accurate results and is more economical than the analogue method. In order to incorporate the challenges brought about by the advent of the digital technology, some survey training institutions/departments have modified or completely changed their names. Therefore, it is logical to observe that what used to be accepted as surveying curriculum in these institutions/departments has become inadequate. This has made the review of surveying curriculum a necessity in order to meet the demands of the current advancements in digital technology. This paper tries to address the impact of revolution brought by digital technology on surveying education. Also, it focuses on the need to review the current surveying curriculum to meet the technological advancement. Finally, it raises the need for concerted efforts to re-train old survey personnel at all levels, for appropriate capacity building, particularly in developing countries.
Event: XXIII International FIG Congress : Shaping the change
Only personal, non-commercial use of this document is allowed.