Standards
Level Two Level Three
Level One Standards – GPS Certification
The following are standards for the the three levels of certification. These standards are a culmination of research and application. Others have been identified by both the private and public sectors. Many have been around for hundreds of years, for example, projections and datums. The three levels are on a continuum of learning and teaching. All move from content through to application and from basic to more complex.
Course/Program Profile - Level One
Overall Expectations
Overview
The National GPS Certification Program is the author and provider (evaluator) of certified GPS programs. It will register participants, who have completed a certified course, in a national/international data bank (those needing this for professional, commercial, insurance or leadership reasons).
The course or program participant will be able to identify and communicate a location on a map, in tandem with a GPS unit. This will include the use of the map datum source, the coordinate system (UTM and latitude/longitude) and a compass. Additional navigation information, such as direction and distance (scale), as related to a map or "real" feature, would complement the identification.
Examples include: reporting a location for any reason, such as an accident or rescue location, a missing person, a discovered bridge removed by flooding, downed power lines, a utility (not functioning) etc…
Skills and content requirements are included for the GPS unit, the map and the compass. These are applicable to certified courses or general interest programs. A sample test question is provided.
The National GPS Certification Program certifies that:
has successfully completed a course in GPS training in accordance with identified standards.
Instructor:
Certification number:
Expiry Date:
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As a certified GPS cardholder you have successfully learned and applied the knowledge and skills needed for a certified GPS course. You are able to identify and communicate a location using UTM and latitude/longitude co-ordinates with a map and a compass. "Be safe! Competent navigation and communication includes the relationship between the map, the compass and the GPS unit.”
Your co-ordinates – Zone______
WGS 84 E ___________N____________
Latitude_______________ Longitude _______________
Overall Expectation
As an overall expectation, by the end of the course or program the participant will:
• explain or define a location.
For example, a detailed response would include, the following location standards.
• The map datum system
• The coordinate system (UTM or latitude/longitude)
• Direction in relation to a defined point (location) on a map
• Details (anecdotal) related to the location
Note: Using the NAD 83 (WGS 84)map datum source on the GPS unit and identified on the map being used -a 1:50 000 (Canada) or 1:24 000 (USA -USGS) topographical map.
Maps in other countries would refer to the map ’s datum source with the appropriate GPS setting on the GPS unit.
The representative example answer would include the following:
Coordinates are:
UTM Zone 17 T
E 0663576 or 663576
N 5129113
Latitude N 46° 17.870’ and Longitude W 78° 5.567’
“The location is 10 km east of the power generating station and then north 4.5 km. The location is on the east side of a small wetland which has a steep rock face on the west side of the wetland. A utility corridor can be seen to the south.”
For the map
Skills and Content
As a general expectation, by the end of the course or program, a participant will be able to examine a map to utilize the following, basic map skills:
• Identify either a standard USGS 1:24 000 or Canadian Topographical 1:50 000 topographical map.
• Explain the use of the scale on the map to determine distances from two points, A to B
• Identify the map datum source on the map (required for the GPS setting)
• Identify the UTM and latitude/longitude grid "tick" or indicator marks in the corners and margins of the map
• Demonstrate and identify a location(s) on the map "rounded off" to the nearest 100 m for the UTM system (i.e. E 5129400) or to the nearest “tenth” of a decimal minute for latitude/longitude (i.e. N 46° 17.700’). Tolerances for UTM will be +/- 100m; for lat./long. will be rounded off to the nearest 0.500 or one-half minute.
For the compass
Skills and Content
As a general expectation, by the end of the course or program, the participant will be able to utilize the compass to accomplish the following:
• Identify (and demonstrate where) Magnetic North is located, as related to present location (surroundings)
• Recognize and express the identified location in relation to a north, east, south or west direction as related to surroundings, for example the east side of the road, the north side of the lake, the west fork of the trail etc…
• Describe the location (with coordinates) on the map and give directional details
or physical features to help with location
• Identify component parts of a compass with adjustment to find Magnetic North
For the GPS unit
Skills and Content
As a general expectation, by the end of the course or program, a participant will be able to utilize the GPS unit to accomplish the following for the setup and operation of the unit:
• Find the Navigation setting on the GPS Setup menu
• Enter the map datum setting - WGS 84 (NAD 83) or NAD 27 according to map datum source on the 1:50 000 or 1:24 000 topographical map
• Enter either UTM and latitude/longitude coordinate system as a setting
• Read the Position or Navigation page of the GPS unit (UTM or latitude/longitude) in relation to the topographical map
• Mark a waypoint (GPS location) and identify the easting and northing and the latitude and longitude coordinates
•Save a waypoint (as above, with coordinates)
• Retrieve a waypoint (as above, with coordinates)
• Demonstrate the function Go To (a destination, as above, with coordinates)
Evaluation - If a participant requires certification.
At the conclusion of the course a test will be administered to the participant. The
successful candidate will be granted a certificate (cardholder) and be entered in the national/international data bank. This membership and certification will be valid for two years. A renewed certification will be issued at the completion of another test.
Test Example
In this example it is assumed a 1:50 000 topographical map or USGS 1:24 000 map will be made available to the applicant at the completion of a course.
From the identified location on the map provided, give the UTM co-ordinates (rounded to the nearest 100 m, i.e. N5129600) and latitude and longitude (rounded to the “tenth” of a decimal minute, i.e. N 46° 17.200’). This map has been updated to NAD 83. Tolerances for UTM will be +/- 100 m; for lat./long. will be rounded off to the nearest 0.500 or one-half minute
Supplementary questions could include for compass purposes; where is north on the map? For GPS purposes; for which map datum source would the GPS unit be set?
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