Technology Workshops
Field Data Collection Technology
Many professional scientists desire effective technology to aid in data collection and site location mapping efforts. However, the maze of options and technical information can be overwhelming. This presentation will provide an overview of equipment selection criterion and practical solutions.
Content overview
- Introduction of presenter and course
- Data Collection Applications overview
- Why do we collect field data?
- What are our data collection goals?
- High level of data input accuracy
- Speed of collection – high productivity
- We want to spatially index our data (ie. know “what” is “where”)
- We want to seamless integrate data to and from our organization’s larger database and/or GIS
- We want it to be fast, easy, cheap and never fail!
- Field Data Collection hardware – Pros and Cons
- Paper Forms/Manual Methods
- Recreational devices including consumer GPS
- Laptop computers
- Pen based computers
- Field Mobile Devices (rugged PDAs)
- Software “Solutions”
- Hardware is only part of your solution
- Software selection driven by your application needs
- Common “out of the box” field software choices
- Can I or others customize my own data collection program?
- Demonstration(s)
- Integrating GPS devices for mapping and navigation
- Quick GPS overview – today’s system
- Recreational versus resource versus surveying
- How accurate do I need?
- What is GNSS?
- Differential correction. What is it? Do I need it?
- GIS and Mobile GIS trends
- Mobile GIS role in your organization’s GIS
- Do we need Mobile GIS?
- GIS data flow/organization and its value
- Mobile GIS Field user expectations and training
- Mobile GIS demonstration
- Q and A and wrap up
