Course Requirements

Prerequisites

Must meet ACC proficiency requirements in Reading, Writing and Math (see the course catalogue or an advisor). You must know how to navigate Windows file structure, how to upload files, how to download files, how to unzip compressed (zipped) files, and how to copy and paste files in Windows Explorer.

Minimum Technical Skills

You are required to have the basic computer competencies listed in the Technical Skills Checklist below prior to beginning the course. Related to item 10 on this checklist, setting up your ACC email account, please note that I will communicate with you through your ACC email account, Google Chat, Google Classroom, and BlackboardAnnouncements for this course. As part of your online experience, you can expect to utilize a variety of technology mediums as part of your curriculum:

• Communicate via Google Chat and ACC email, including sending attachments
• Navigate the World Wide Web using Google Chrome web browser
• Use office applications such as Microsoft Office (or similar) to create documents
• Be willing to communicate using a discussion board and upload assignments to a website
• Be comfortable uploading and downloading saved files
• Have easy, reliable and consistent access to the Internet (remote attendees only)
• Navigate the course content located on Google Classroom and Blackboard

Required Hardware

Students have access to dual-monitor desktop workstations with ArcGIS Pro, high-speed Internet, and all of the recommended software in the classroom and the ACC GIS labs, including at ACC Highland room 2.1504 and GIS labs at other campuses.

A USB headset with a microphone is required for in-person attendance to communicate with your colleagues attending remotely in breakout groups. You may bring one of your own or borrow one from the GIS Dept through your Instructor.

Remote students are required to have the following:

• Students must have a computer with a Windows operating system that capable of running the desktop version of ArcGIS Pro (see system requirements). Note that ArcGIS Pro only runs on the Windows operating system. It will not run on a Chromebook. If you don't have access to the technology required for online GIS courses, click here to request help.
• A webcam and a microphone are required for online exam proctoring, meetings, and tutoring sessions. You can also run your sound and video for Zoom through your phone.
• Students must have access to a high-speed internet connection (at least 20 Mbps download speed). Click here to test your internet speed.

Required Software

All students will use ACC email, Google Workspace apps and ArcGIS Pro 3.3.1 GIS software to complete demonstrations, exercises, projects, quizzes, and tests. A FREE student version of ArcGIS Pro will be provided to all classroom and online students. See ArcGIS Pro Installation Steps.

Textbook

There is no textbook required for this course. This is a ZTC (Zero Textbook Cost) section. In place of required textbooks, all textbook materials needed for the class will be available online to students free of charge. Students may print copies of the resources but will be responsible for printing costs.

Introduction to basic concepts of vector GIS using several specific software programs including nomenclature of cartography and geography. Transferability of workforce courses varies. Students interested in transferring courses to another college should speak with their Area of Study Advisor, Department Chair, and/or Program Director.

WECM Student Learning Outcomes

The Workforce Education Course Manual (WECM) is a web-based inventory of current workforce education courses and outcomes published by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for Texas public two-year colleges. WECM courses are created and maintained by teams of instructional specialists from Texas college with expertise in the subject areas. By the end of this course, the student will be able to:

• Explain basic concepts of using GIS in mapping the earth in spatial terms and populating the GIS's system to access data
• Create and access data in the GIS's system using an appropriate software package
• Develop and print maps with industry standard legends
• Operate industry standard GIS packages on a personal computer
• Capture positional and attribute information with correct and accurate geographic referencing
• Convert geographic information among several coordinate systems
• Acquire GIS's system information from databases, existing maps, and the Internet
• Annotate output for finished maps, documents, and reports.

GTCM Student Learning Outcomes

The Geospatial Technology Competency Model (GTCM) is an industry model framework published by the US Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration (ETA) to identify industry-specific technical competencies. By the end of this course, the student will be able to:

• Edit, query, convert, rectify, georeference, project, transform, geoprocess, validate, import, export, backup, and archive data while utilizing file and data standards and assuring quality.
• Query spatial and attribute data by location and utilizing query languages.
• Implement a GIS project by collecting, creating, assimilating, analyzing, synthesizing, and presenting data and results that satisfy the project goal.
• Create data, maps, and reports with GIS-industry recognized data standards, cartographic conventions, and reporting methods.
• Practice continuing GIS education utilizing formal instruction; academic, professional, and industry publications; software documentation; online resources; peer professionals; on-the-job experiences; and professional certifications.

SCANS Competencies

The Secretary Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) is a commission appointed in 1990 by the Secretary of the US Department of Labor Lynn Martin to develop a list of skills "that high-performance workplaces require and that high-performance schools should produce." By the end of this course, the student will demonstrate the following workplace competencies and foundation skills:

Workplace Competencies - Effective workers can productively use:

1. Resources – They know how to allocate (C1) time, (C2) money, (C3), materials, and (C4) staff
2. Information – They can (C5) acquire and evaluate data, (C6) organize and maintain files, (C7) interprets and communicate, and (C8) use computers to process information.
3. Interpersonal skills – They can (C9) work on teams, (C10) teach others, (C11) serve customers, (C12) lead, (C13) negotiate, and (C14) work well with people from culturally diverse backgrounds,
4. Systems – They (C15) understand social, organizational, and technological systems, (C16) they can monitor and correct performance; and (C17) they can design or improve systems.
5. Technology – They can (C18) select equipment and tools, (C19) apply technology to specific tasks and (C20) maintain and troubleshoot equipment.

Foundation Skills - Competent workers in the high-performance workplace need:

1. 1. Basic Skills – (F1) reading, (F2) writing, (F3) arithmetic and (F4) mathematics, (F5) listening and (F6) speaking.
   2. Thinking skills – (F7) to think creatively, (F8) to make decisions, (F9) to solve problems, (F10) to visualize, (F11) the ability to learn, and (F12) to reason.
   3. Personal Qualities – (F13) individual responsibility, (F14) self-esteem, (F15) sociability, (F16) self- management, and (F17) integrity.