[Ica-osgeo-labs] Documenting OGC standards and OGC standards training

[Cameron Shorter]

I'm bringing this email thread back onto the public ica-osgeo-labs list 
(CC OGC people) and changing title (with permission of Suchith).
Title was "RE: [Ica-osgeo-labs] The LAS format, the ASPRS, and the ģLAZ 
cloneē by ESRI" and a private conversation had started.

Hi Suchith,
I like the idea of bringing OGC standards into education, and would be 
keen to see authoritative and consistent descriptions of standards 
available. (We started doing this a while ago on OSGeo Live [1], but 
these descriptions are incomplete, out of date, and the template needs 
improving).

There was further discussion about describing standards within the OGC 
"Ideas4OGC" initiative [2] ~ October 2013, leading to recognition of a 
need for consistent descriptions of standards: including a one pager 
description for architects, and an implementation guide for developers.

There is a lot of work in developing such documentation for all 
standards, but if we create a template for what is required, we can then 
spread the work across multiple interested parties (as we have done with 
OSGeo-Live documentation). I'd be happy to help with creating such a 
template.

[1] http://live.osgeo.org/en/standards/standards.html
[2] 
http://external.opengeospatial.org/twiki_public/Ideas4OGC/InitialRecommendations#Topic_20:_Quality_versus_Quantity
and
http://external.opengeospatial.org/twiki_public/Ideas4OGC/InitialRecommendations#Topic_28:_Active_Direction

On 13/03/2015 8:30 pm, Suchith Anand wrote:
> Hi Cameron, All,
>
> I am not a standards expert but i am determined that i am going to do my best to improve the education aspects of Open Standards in Geo Eduation curriculum worldwide. This is long term action and we need help from all interested to join this.
>
> We have done this successfully in Open Source GIS education in a very short time. For example, our GeoAcademy colleagues have not only established a very successful MOOC program ( i understand over 4000 students are enrolled for their March 2015 cohort, so the scale of expansion of this amazing) but more importantly they made available  the curriculum (lecture materials, tutorials etc) available to all educators to share and share alike under the Creative Commons BY 3.0 license at the GitHub repository at https://github.com/FOSS4GAcademy
>
> That has immediate multiplier effect with now educators globally starting making use of it for their teaching. We need to make this happen in Open Geo Standards education also. And i see OGC as a key collaborator for this. I understand that Luis Bermudez is planning to work on a course for Open Geospatial Standards education, if so we will be pleased to work with Lluis in this important aspect and together we can make sure Open Standards in made important in the Geospatial Education Curriculum (esp. in undergraduate university level programs).
>
> Also for info, the GeoforAll Advisory Board  http://www.geoforall.org/advisory_board/   (btw we have now included all our regional chairs also into the AB) are discussing strategies/ideas for our long term education plans, criteria for our labs etc  and Dr Serena Coetzee (South Africa) cc in has put forward an excellent idea that we more actively participate and contribute to Open Standards development, for example, through the OGC Memorandum of Understanding with OSGeo or through the ICA’s liaison relationship with ISO/TC 211, Geographic information/Geomatics http://www.isotc211.org  and we have now included that in our action plan. More details we will be sending through the ICA-OSGeo labs list in due course.
>
> So on behalf of Geo for All,  we will do our best efforts in making sure Open Standards are integral for all Geo Education programs. And remember, education is a long term investment and needs patience and tireless efforts and we are committed to this.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Suchith
>
>

-- 
Cameron Shorter,
Software and Data Solutions Manager
LISAsoft
Suite 112, Jones Bay Wharf,
26 - 32 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont NSW 2009

P +61 2 9009 5000,  W www.lisasoft.com,  F +61 2 9009 5099