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Werks
Posts: 1
Joined: 12/28/2008
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Guest Editorial: When Do We Stop Teaching Old Methods |
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I would hope never. It is hard to "follow in the footsteps" of the original surveyor if you are clueless as to the methods he used. Some years back a fellow surveyor and I were discussing corner recovery. He recounted a time when he was on a crew that spent an entire day looking for original corners as described in a deed, using the latest equipment, with no results. The next day the chief of parties went out with a compass and rag tape and found most of them. I believe that a knowledge of the old methods is relevant today and should be included in a survey curriculum.
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Sunday, December 28, 2008 at 2:06:33 PM |
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Timber
Posts: 3
Location: Bakersfield, U.S.A.
Joined: 11/10/2008
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Re: Guest Editorial: When Do We Stop Teaching Old Methods |
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| Having been in the surveying profession for over 36 years I am amazed by the up and coming professionals (college grads) not knowing simple methods and short cuts of surveying. This can only be taught by mentoring. It does not appear in any text book that I am aware of. I use right angle prisms, abney hand levels, plumb bobs, compass, and any other tool I can get my hands on. If there is an easier way I will teach it. I totally concur that the old methods need to be taught. To follow in the footsteps of the original surveyor. If we lose sight of the old method how will one determine the original surveyors line and approach!
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PLS8395
Posts: 4
Joined: 1/6/2009
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Re: Guest Editorial: When Do We Stop Teaching Old Methods |
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As an instructor, I teach my students the "old methods" and follow up with the modern methods. This allows them to see how something may or may not have progressed. It goes along with teaching students which tool is right for which job. For example, GPS is great for some things but not every job. "It depends" soon becomes an important part of their vocabulary.
My first-semester students must demonstrate proficiency with a theodolite and steel tape before they can learn the total station. Several local agencies still use (and rightly so) steel tapes and plumbobs for short distances. Only six years ago I used a T-2 on a county survey crew when we needed to turn some quick angles.
When used properly, these tools provide great results. I want my students to see a map from 1957 and understand that the data may be old but not bad.
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