The GI-Indeed e-learning platform: Use cases and exercises

Pär Liljergren, Roderic Molina

University of Gävle (S), GISIG (IT)

This presentation shows the preliminary results of the GI-Indeed learning project regarding the Geoportal and use cases/exercises.
The GI-Indeed geoportal is an important part of the e-learning platform to support learning, also supported by best practice examples and use cases exercise for the modules 3 "Use of SDI for protected areas" and 4 "Use of SDI for coastal areas".
According to its usage, the Geoportal is divided into two platforms: the ICAM-GIS platform, dedicated to coastal management (for module 4) and the Nature-GIS platform, dedicated to protected areas (for module 3). The Geoportal has been jointly developed by GISIG and the University of Gävle. and is based on information systems holding metadata and other geographic information.
Trainees could be students or professional users who can find in the Geoportal an example of an INSPIRE compliant platform and also useful metadata and use cases. The Geoportal is structured in two main parts:

• a catalogue that provide access to the metadata searching service:
  the catalogue stores metadata based compliant with the common ISO geographic standards and is based on an Open Source application to manage spatially referenced resources. It provides powerful metadata editing and search functions as well as an embedded interactive web map viewer.
• a use cases section:
  this section has been developed for both the ICAM-GIS and Nature-GIS platform on the same scheme used within the NATURE-GIS project (IST 2001 - 34641), selected as one of the demonstration project of the INSPIRE approach. The purpose of this use cases is to demonstrate the flexibility of the access to geo-information and make operative the functions of the Geoportal.

The Geoportal is based on opensource web content management system and a login section permits the user to access its functions. Data visualisation is one of the most important aspects of the Geoportal. Through that function you can access from the use case section a view of the geographical context of the project using a map viewer.
Moreover, the presentation will show the structure of a use case with an example (the use case of the Beigua Regional Park, located in the Liguria Region).
Tutored exercises are a very important part of the e-learning process. They permit a practical experience and complements the theoretical package.
The tutored exercises are divided in two different sections:

• The web publishing exercises, addressed to all kind of the platform users; they are focused to give a simple and practical experience in webmapping. Different kind of resources and demo data are provided.
• A specific use case exercise section, addressed to professional users, administrations and organisations; it provides a comprehensive "how to" kit for the creation of a use case from the start. This exercise is a training use-case that intends to build a Spatial Data Infrastructure according to the current standards and specifications. The section allows to support a working team that should be created by a Public Administration that is guided to create an application case. This use case must be built-up upon data already available at the administration and could be considered equivalent to the work carried out for a "graduation thesis".

The GI-Indeed e-learning platform gives all resources to learn and practice in webmapping and for the creation of use cases. All the material and resources, as the Geoportals, are compliant and based on the INSPIRE principles. This platform could help a wide range of users and professionals to improve theirs skills and knowledge in geo-information science.