ID Brief for Final Project IST 526

Title or Topic of Module/Lesson: GISCorps Interactive Volunteer Deployment Handbook

Date this Design Created/Modified: March 19, 2017
Time: 10 minutes

General Overview/Need: GISCorps coordinates short term, volunteer based GIS services to
underprivileged communities. One of the important resources for volunteers is a outdated PDF
handbook. This handbook needs to be redesigned and interactive so that more volunteers are
motivated to review and use it before, during and after missions so that they are aware of the
important information it contains.

Why a computer should teach it: GISCorps has volunteers all over the world so dissemination
and access is critical.

Audience/Learners: Geographic Information System Professionals that are considering

volunteering with GISCorps who are able to work either online or deploy to remote locations
with their own GIS computer equipment.

Technical: The training must be completed using a standard browser with internet connection.
The instructional formatting should include mobile devices as well as computers.

Conditions of Instruction: There are no special requirements for the students other than
accessible through the internet with the ability to translate if needed. The training should be
facilitated through a free Learning Management System (LMS) such as Moodle so that quizzes
can be incorporated into the module.

Learning Objectives:
1. Given digital content (text, audio, video, images) learners will be able to define the various
types of missions to which GISCorps volunteers may be deployed. (Cognitive domain,
comprehension)
2. Given digital content (text, audio, video, images) learners will be able to identify an example
of a good volunteer. (Cognitive domain, comprehension)
3. Given digital content (text, audio, video, images) learners will be able to identify examples of
possible environments that a volunteer may encounter. (Cognitive domain, comprehension).
4. Given digital content (text, audio, video, images) learners will be able to identify possible
health and safety hazards. (Cognitive domain, comprehension).
5. Given digital content (text, audio, video, images) learners will be able to list what
Data they should look for upon arriving at their deployment location. (Cognitive domain,
comprehension).

Task Analysis:

Task Priority (1-10 1 Difficulty (1-10 1 Frequency (1-10 1

being the most being the easiest) being the most
important) frequent)

Using the GISCorps 3 2 6

Volunteer
Deployment
Handbook describe
the various types of
deployments

Review the GISCorps 3 2 5

Volunteer
Deployment
Handbook and
describe the
characteristics of a
good volunteer
Review the past 2 2 6
GISCorps missions
on their web site and
give examples of
possible
environments
volunteers may be
assigned

Using the GISCorps 1 2 3

Volunteer
Deployment
Handbook state the
various health and
safety hazards
volunteers may
experience.

Using the GISCorps 1 2 2

Volunteer
Deployment
Handbook list the
possible data
requirements and
produces various
missions need
Assessment: Following the instruction a series of questions and scenarios should be presented
that address the learning objectives. The scenarios would be formated as if they have been
deployed as a volunteer. The questions would be in the form of multiple choice, matching, drag
and drop or choose from a list.

Instructional/Cognitive Strategies:
1. Adult Learning Theory
Adult learning theory is applicable to this training because the GISCorps Volunteer base is
composed of adult learners with computer backgrounds. Using Activation Principal will help
focus the learner's past knowledge and build upon it. This will help to formulate and organize the
new instruction. (Reigeluth 2016)

2. ARCS Model
Using John Kellers ARCS model provides good foundation for the lessons aimed at GISCorps
Volunteer learners. The acronym ARCS stands for Attention, Relevance, Confidence and
Satisfaction (ARCS) and encourages to motivation. Keller suggested that attention could be
obtained either by perceptual arousal or by inquiry arousal.
The structure of the modules will motivate as well as educate. The volunteers need to feel that
they can make a difference. Being a volunteer isnt an easy job so the reward is to feel they can
make a difference.

Instructional Materials:This eLearning module will allow learners to explore the Volunteer
Deployment Handbook. The GISCorps Volunteer Deployment Handbook is provided by
GISCorps as a source of general information for future volunteers, and serves as a general
reference for deployment guidelines. The handbook describes the various types of missions to
which GISCorps volunteers may be deployed, categorizing the missions broadly as Remote or
On-site. The basic information within this document provides examples of possible living
conditions, fundamental personal and professional necessities required, and illustrates the GIS
environments that a volunteer may encounter. It is not intended to be all-encompassing, but to
provide a basic framework for the volunteer to build upon in order to have a successful
deployment. Learners will learn about code of conduct and ethics as well as what makes a good
volunteer, what to expect on a remote deployment, and what to bring. There is also important
safety information regarding foreign travel, environmental hazards, and the type of products they
will likely be required to produce.
This instruction should not only educate and inform new volunteers but motivate and excite
them.
Special Instructions for Reviewers: A storyboard will be provided along with the GISCorp
Volunteer Deployment Handbook PDF file.

Media Resources
Style guide: There is no style guide and the GISCorps website is in the process of being
redesigned. It is recommended to use the current schema that matched the GISCorps Volunteer
Deployment Handbook with the ability to adjust once the new website has been designed.

Images: Images and video can be found on the GISCorps website. Permission has been given to
the project to use material on their site with referencing the proper source via the GISCorps site.
Logo files for GISCorps can be found here: http://giscorps.org
The avatar for pedagogical agents can be chosen from those provided in the Captivate or
Storyline software.

References
Administrator. (n.d.). GISCorps - Publications. Retrieved March 19, 2017, from
http://www.giscorps.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23&Itemid=60
Administrator. (n.d.). GISCorps - Organizational News. Retrieved March 19, 2017, from
http://www.giscorps.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=62
History, R. (n.d.). GISCorps Volunteer Deployment Handbook. Retrieved from
http://www.giscorps.org/documents/vol_handbook.pdf
Reigeluth, C. M. (2016). Instructional theory and technology for the new paradigm of education.
Revista de Educacin a Distancia, (50). Retrieved from
http://www.um.es/ead/red/32/reigeluth.pdf