The Internet for GIS project - A web-based platform for distance learning

Irene Compte (1), Fredrik Salén (2)

(1) University of Girona (ES)
(2) Lulea University of Technology (SE)

Public authorities and private companies are increasingly using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to solve a wide range of problems related to our changeable world. At the same time, the progress in the technology and methods of GIS and in related disciplines is very fast. Within this general context, there is also a growing demand for access to up-to-date and flexible courses in GIS.
Flexibility is a keyword in today's society and more so when talking about education. University students and other user groups expect the possibility to participate in different kinds of courses independently of the time and place. It is a fact that the demand for open and distance learning (ODL) is increasing. With today's technical innovations, in relation to computer sciences and the Internet, the possibilities for distance learning, in the strict sense of phrase, have opened up considerably.
In an attempt to meet the demand for ODL, the INTERNET For GIS project has been set up. The project is supported by the European Union under its Leonardo da Vinci program, and has participants from France, Spain and Sweden. The group of partners is made up of 10 organisations representing different categories, from local and regional communities to universities and private institutes.
The INTERNET For GIS project aims at creating a platform that allows to elaborate ODL courses more quiclky and easily - the platform mainly target lessons creators, that is to say, teachers. Moreover, it must enable the teacher to easily develop assessment tools linked with his/her lesson and finally, it must make the developed data available to students either as separate course with or without assessment, or as a "corporate course" module.
To illustrate the potentialities of this platform, the project has chosen to deal with Geographical Information Systems. We intend to give special emphasis in the training of agents from local communities and State services, or of any person wishing to