INTAS Project: Remote Sensing Internet Technologies Based Teaching* E.B Kudashev’, Yu.F. Knizhniko3, V.I. Kravtsova’, V.P. Myasnikov’, O.V. Tutubalina’ ’ Space Research Institute, Moscow, 117997, Russia ‘Faculty ofGeography, Moscow State University, Moscow, 119899, Russia E-mail:
[email protected]
&str~ct - A new stage of satellite environmental monitoring started when Internet and modern information technologies emerged. It is marked by a wide use of teleeommnnication infrastructure as well as hypertext and interactive information teehniques which are extremely promising for remote sensing of the environment. WWW technologies are now used for distant teaching. Widespread introduction of the Internet and development of integrated hardware and software systems brings principally new possibilities for information access and system building in education.
I. QVERVIEWOFTHEINTAS IRIS PROJECT The INTAS IRIS Project main goal is to research techniques aimed at improving the accessibility of Russian satellite remote sensing data [1,2]. The Prqject IRIS Tasks include: - investigation of new information technologies aimed at information system interoperability: - evaluation of the impact of new technologies on the development of Centre of satellite data. Important activities consist of - identification ofthe Russian dJtasets held; creation of the IDN (International Directory Network) entries; - creation of the lNFE0 (Information from Earth Observation) entries and its Russian Node; - creation of digital catalogues, installation of gateway software; - creation of Russian IJser Interface; - creation of new datasets. INTAS IRLS Project is directed also at investigating how best to exploit new information technologies for Earth Observation Education and Training. Currently, Moscow State University offer space-related courses, projects involving university students in the final year of their studies, and cooperation in scientific research. It is attractive to use the Russian Satellite Remote Sensing Data and WWW as an integrative medium for distant leaming in Earth Observation Education.
[email protected]
11.
WEB &SOURCE CREATION
Space Research Institute (1Kl) provides for INTAS IRIS Project the development of the Remote Sensing Education Web-Resource. Creation of this interuniversity network resource pursues the following goals: - provision of remote access to electronic information resources of satellite environmental monitoring for the university community; - development of geoinformation technologies for satellite data processing and their introduction into Earth sciences through distant e-learning based on supercomputer systems. The basis for information resources of distant learning system is formed by: - development of user interface for Internet access; - development of the IKI Web Server and of the Database for environmental monitoring; - development of the interface and technology for distant management of local Databases within an hItegrated Database, realized in a Database Management System environment (DBMS); - development of a technology for timely update of the Databases via Internet; - installation of education resources on the Web Server; - information services and support for the distant learning system. The Web Server provides the Internet environment for various geoinformation systems created for distant leaning. The 1KL website is an integrated system which includes an information storage system based on a modern DBMS and an information presentation system, effected trough the Web Server. DBMS interacts with the Web Server using a gateway. For this a browser program is used and the gateway program forms an SQL-query to the Database either whenever the webpage is requested, or when a user fills in a Web form. As a result, the dynamic pages are updated. The PHP language (which includes database interaction tools) is used.
’ Thesupportofthe RFBRmdergants01-07-90008 and011-07-9009'2 is gratefullyacknowledged. Ths workwassupported alsoby INTASINFO00-089.
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The update process in the database is realized in a similar way: information, entered into Web forms is transformed int o SQL commands for creation or modification of database table records. Therefore, the website being developed is a set of software and hardware which includes a Database Server, a Web Server, and the means for their interaction. This software and hardware set allows to create an efficient system of presentation for an Earth Observation Education and Training System.
over 100 MB of educational data, introduction of new teaching and assessmentmethods in Moscow. Moscow University team also runs an Inter-University Aerospace Centre which organized eight workshops and courses for university teachers in 1978-l 995. Currently the work continues in the form of Internet-based seminars: three of them were carried out in 2000-2001 and are described in detail elsewhere in the proceedings 131. It is envisaged that IKI website will provide one of the gateways for access to the seminars and dissemination of their results.
111.EDUCATION~&SOURCES Moscow University and IKI are developing an integrated programme combining i) Barth Observation data and systems for environmental monitoring and managing disasters and ii) supporting the education and training endeavor, thereby enabling the development of a necessary pool of professional space researchers. The partners will aim to create a Science and Education Centre at Moscow University, named Internet Technologies for Earth Observation, which will be provide a base for joint research and strong links between partners and the Department of Geography of Cambridge IJniversity, UK. We hope to collabordte on a project within the INTAS programme in the following areas: Aerospace Geoecological Monitoring, Information Resources for Remote Sensing and Internet Technologies, Methods of Computer Data Processing and Supercomputer Modelling, Internet Technologies for Earth Observation. Our project will take into account the successful collaboration of Cambridge University and Moscow University within the Regional Academic Partnership Programme (REAP), aimed at the creation of a new two-year Master course in Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing at Moscow State University, to provide training in up-to-date environmental monitoring technologies. The course has been running since autumn 1999 and received fdvourabie assessment of the Cambridge University Staff. Collaboration so far included four exchange visits and workshops, two lectures of Cambridge staff in Moscow, provision and translation of Cambridge educational material, transfer of
The INTAS IRIS Project will create networked resources of satellite data, metadata and geospatial information. Information and educational resources will be made available on a specialised Web Server of the inter-university Centre of Internet Technologies for Earth Observation. These include course curricula, scientific and methodological materials, examples of tutorials, which involve use of satellite images, cartographic materials and geoinformation technologies. References 11] E.B.Kudashev.W.Cudlipat al.Integmtionof theRussiansatellite enviroomental datawithglobalnetwork of EarthObservation information systems// Telematica2001.InternatiomlCon/henceonTehnaticsund Web-Bused EduculionProceedings InrerncrtiomlVolme.2001. pp.66-68. St.-Petersburg. [2] E. B. Kudaahev, Y. A. Kmvtaov,V. I. Kharuk,V. P. Mpamtikov. Using theRussiansatellitedatain SUDOO~I . . of environmental monitorineandemereencv forecast for vastsvberianandfrom Moscow to Arctic te&ories. 21” EAR.!GLSympkm. Oilsewingour Environment from Space/ NW Shtiom for a h’ew &fille~,mium, 14-16May 200I, Paris,France.Abstract Book. P. 83. Ed.EuropeanAssociationof RemoteSensingLaboratories, So&e Franc&edePhotogrammetrie et deTeledetection (SFPT).Paris.2001. 131E.A.Baldina,E.R.Chalova.Yu.F.Knizhnikov,O.V.Tutubalina. Remote SewingEducationUsingbltemet- Prospects of the Inter-University AerospaceCemre.Proceedings of the lntemationalSymposiumon Geoscience and Remote Sensing(fGARSS’02). Toronto.Canada,June2002.
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