COGS student presentations

David MacLean invited both Edward and myself to attend two days of final project presentations from students in the various programs at COGS. I attended in person. Edward attended online from Eastern Passage. There were concurrent sessions in the AV room and the Board room at COGS, facilitated online by Dave and Darren MacKinnon.

This post-COVID experience was very different from my recollection of final projects at COGS. The focus was on the technology. It was difficult to discern which students were graduating from the different programs, which students were resident at COGS, and which students were online to COGS.

Regardless, the technical standards remain high. It was a pleasure to be in the company of the next generation. It was good to see the continued sponsorship by local organizations, e.g. MapAnnapolis, Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve and AGRG; likewise to see old friends: Ed Symonds, Monica Lloyd, Darren MacKinnon, and Tim Webster.

From a program perspective, I noted that COGS intends to offer Forest Geomatics and Biometrics Technology in September 2023.

As a Geographer, with a life-long interest in the Geographic Sciences and GIS technology, I had a long list of questions for the NSCC.

1. Does COGS still have three departments: Surveying, Cartography/ Planning, Computer Programming?
2. Does COGS offer post-graduate certification as well as post-high school certification?
3. Given access to the technology, it appears that students can be located on any NSCC campus in Nova Scotia? Anywhere in Canada, and beyond? Is there a residency requirement?
4. Given the online access to technology, all the presentations from the two days can be shared with the world and with stakeholders. That would be excellent.
5. Clearly, we are moving from a program model to a universal online individual model. Does that impact our ‘sense of place’? Does that impact our sense of community mapping? What challenges and opportunities arise?
6. What happens to the geographic science behind the technology?
7. Are we still connected with the technology providers, e.g. Esri, Esri Canada, PCI etc.

I would welcome conversations on all the above questions, perhaps in a format taking advantage of the communication technologies used here.

Edward experienced the two days online. He likely will have his own perspective on the presentations, and the ensuing questions (see below).

Final observation.

There are elders in the community. They represent a valuable and potentially valued resource. Let’s not forget our history, or sense of place.

References

I have requested that Dave MacLean share the links to the student presentations.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Dave for the invitation to both Edward and myself. Heather attended the second day. I appreciate her input too.

Postscript: Edward

Attending COGS presentations online via Microsoft Meet was a great way to enjoy these technical projects. I viewed these on my modest Lenovo T8 tablet. The user interface was intuitive. I could zoom in/out on maps or charts as needed. The chat feature was handy in order to ask questions, get involved and share links. I was excited when external participants joined in such as with the Heritage study. I would have valued a one-minute introduction for each student presenter to have me appreciate their background and interests. Students could provide the host this introductory material. Maybe next time.

 My online vexperience shows that this type of COGS event can easily be scalable and is a great way to have COGS interface with industry, government, and academic partners no matter where they are. I have attended COGS year-end presentations on campus in the past and found today’s presentations equally engaging and professional. Now, if only we can share the coffee and cookies online.

Thank you Dave MacLean for setting this up and inviting former colleagues. You continue to tirelessly explore the boundaries between COGS and community. Bob has some valid points, questions and opportunities for NSCC to open up dialogue and reflect on its programs.