the impact of digital technology revolution on surveying curriculum review in Nigeria

Abstract

Digital technology such as computer technology, Global Positioning System (GPS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) has been having a tremendous impact on the field of surveying. This development has positively affected the scope, methods, speed of data acquisition, data management and the rate of delivery of the results (map and other map products) of data procesing. For instance, Surveyors were hitherto engaged in the act of analogue collection, processing, storage and retrieval of data and data products. Nowadays, the use of digital technology for the same tasks has gained more importance. This is because digital technology produces more accurate results and is more economical than the analogue method. In order to incorporate the challenges brought about by the advent of the digital technology, some survey training institutions/departments have modified or completely changed their names. Therefore, it is logical to observe that what used to be accepted as surveying curriculum in these institutions/departments has become inadequate. This has made the review of surveying curriculum a necessity in order to meet the demands of the current advancements in digital technology. This paper tries to address the impact of revolution brought by digital technology on surveying education. Also, it focuses on the need to review the current surveying curriculum to meet the technological advancement. Finally, it raises the need for a uniform curriculum for all surveying departments in Universities and a different uniform surveying curriculum for all surveying departments in Polytechnics and Colleges of Technology.

Global Journal of Environmental Sciences Vol. 6 (1) 2007: pp. 47-52