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Applying the Feynman Technique to Key Areas of Continuing Education For Land Surveyors

Posted by Justin Farrow on September 4, 2024 at 3:05pm in Continuing Education, Valuable Insight, Land Surveyor Education

 Applying the Feynman Technique to Key Areas of Continuing Education For Land Surveyors

Continuing education (CE) is vital for professional land surveyors to stay competitive and effective in a field that constantly evolves with new technologies, regulations, and industry standards. While most surveyors recognize the importance of ongoing learning, many struggle with fully grasping and retaining complex concepts. That’s where the Feynman Technique comes into play. Named after Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman, this study technique is incredibly effective for mastering difficult subjects by breaking them down into simple, understandable terms.

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For land surveyors, this technique can transform how they approach their continuing education, helping them better understand technologies, laws, and methods, and ensuring they are not just memorizing material, but truly comprehending it. In this article, we’ll break down the Feynman Technique and show how it can be applied to the world of land surveying CE.

NOTE: This post is part of a larger series of research based posts for Maximizing Land Surveyor Education through Study Techniques

What Is the Feynman Technique?

At its core, the Feynman Technique is about learning by teaching. The principle is simple: if you can explain a concept to someone else in clear, simple terms, then you truly understand it. If not, you need to revisit the topic until you can. This technique forces you to simplify complex concepts, identify gaps in your understanding, and actively engage with the material. It’s a highly effective method of learning because it combines deep thinking with practical application.

Here’s how the Feynman Technique works:

  1. Choose a concept you want to learn.
  2. Explain it as if you’re teaching it to someone with no background knowledge (like a child).
  3. Identify gaps in your explanation and go back to the material to fill in those gaps.
  4. Simplify your explanation further and use analogies or stories to make the concept easier to understand.

Now, let’s see how this can be applied to various aspects of continuing education for professional land surveyors.

Why the Feynman Technique Matters for Land Surveyors

Land surveying involves a mix of complex scientific, technical, and legal concepts. It’s not enough to memorize new material; understanding is critical. Surveyors must make quick, informed decisions in the field, often applying principles they’ve learned in real-world scenarios. Whether it’s grasping the latest advancements in GIS or understanding boundary law, the Feynman Technique helps break down these subjects so they’re easier to digest and apply.

Here’s why the Feynman Technique can be a game-changer for surveyors:

  1. Simplifies Complex Technologies: Land surveying has become highly technical, with tools like drones, LiDAR, and advanced GPS systems playing a key role. The Feynman Technique helps you understand these technologies at a deeper level by simplifying their operation and purpose.

  2. Clarifies Legal Regulations: Boundary law and land rights are fundamental to surveying, but they can also be complex. The Feynman Technique ensures you not only memorize these regulations but also understand their implications in various scenarios.

  3. Enhances Practical Application: Surveying is hands-on, and theoretical knowledge must translate to practical work in the field. The Feynman Technique helps bridge that gap by reinforcing your understanding of how concepts work in real life.

Applying the Feynman Technique to Key Areas of Continuing Education

Let’s take a look at some of the critical areas of CE for land surveyors and explore how the Feynman Technique can be applied to ensure mastery in each area.

1. Understanding Technological Advancements

Technology is rapidly evolving in the field of land surveying. Drones, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and laser scanning (LiDAR) are just a few of the tools that have become integral to modern surveying practices. To stay competitive, surveyors must not only be familiar with these technologies but understand how they work and how to use them effectively.

How the Feynman Technique Helps: When learning about a new technology like drones, break down how the technology works. For example, try explaining the basics of drone flight, data collection, and how drones can be used to create detailed topographic maps. Use analogies like comparing the drone’s data collection process to taking photographs from different angles and then stitching them together into a complete picture.

Example Application:

  • Step 1: Choose a technology like LiDAR and explain it as though you’re teaching someone unfamiliar with surveying. "LiDAR uses laser pulses to measure distances to a surface and creates a detailed 3D map of the area."
  • Step 2: Simplify your explanation by removing any technical jargon. "Imagine shining a flashlight and measuring how long it takes for the light to bounce back. That’s how LiDAR maps land surfaces."
  • Step 3: Identify any gaps in your understanding and revisit your materials if necessary, such as how LiDAR data is processed into a usable map.

2. Grasping Legal and Regulatory Changes

Surveyors must stay up-to-date on boundary laws and legal changes that affect property rights and land use. Understanding these laws is critical for ensuring that surveys are accurate and legally defensible.

How the Feynman Technique Helps: Legal concepts can be overwhelming due to their complexity and the specific language used. The Feynman Technique encourages you to translate legal jargon into simple, relatable language. When studying a specific boundary law, try explaining it in layman’s terms. For example, explain how property easements work by comparing them to shared driveways between neighbors.

Example Application:

  • Step 1: Pick a legal concept, like adverse possession, and explain it to someone with no legal background. "Adverse possession is when someone can claim ownership of land if they’ve been using it without the owner’s permission for a long enough time."
  • Step 2: Use a simple analogy to make the concept clearer. "It’s like if you park your car in the same spot every day for years, eventually you might be able to claim that parking spot as yours."
  • Step 3: If your explanation feels incomplete, revisit your notes and textbooks on boundary law until you can explain the concept without difficulty.

3. Mastering Data Analysis and Interpretation

Data analysis is a key component of land surveying. Surveyors collect large amounts of data, whether from GPS systems, drones, or traditional tools, and must interpret that data accurately to produce reliable results.

How the Feynman Technique Helps: Data analysis tools like AutoCAD and GIS can be complex, especially for those new to the software. Use the Feynman Technique to break down the steps of data analysis into simple instructions. For example, explain how to input GPS data into AutoCAD, step-by-step, as though you’re teaching someone who’s never used the program before.

Example Application:

  • Step 1: Choose a software tool like AutoCAD. Try explaining how it works to someone unfamiliar with it. "AutoCAD is a tool that helps create precise drawings of land areas based on data collected in the field."
  • Step 2: Break down the process of inputting data. "First, we take GPS points collected in the field and enter them into AutoCAD. The program then draws lines between those points to create a map."
  • Step 3: If you’re unsure of certain steps, revisit tutorials or user guides until you’re confident in explaining the process clearly.

4. Enhancing Project Management Skills

Surveyors often manage entire projects, coordinating between teams, clients, and regulatory bodies. Effective project management requires a clear understanding of scheduling, budgeting, and client communication.

How the Feynman Technique Helps: Project management involves many moving parts, so simplifying the process is crucial. Use the Feynman Technique to explain project management concepts like Gantt charts or stakeholder communication. For example, describe scheduling as organizing tasks in a timeline, where each task depends on the completion of the previous one.

Example Application:

  • Step 1: Pick a project management concept, like scheduling. Explain it as though you’re teaching it to a peer. "Scheduling is like making a to-do list, but with deadlines for each item."
  • Step 2: Break down how project management software helps track these tasks. "Tools like Microsoft Project allow us to assign deadlines to each task and track progress."
  • Step 3: If certain aspects of the software or scheduling process are unclear, revisit training materials to fill in the gaps.

5. Understanding Ethical Standards

Professional ethics are at the core of land surveying. Surveyors must conduct themselves with honesty and integrity, as their work directly affects property rights and public trust.

How the Feynman Technique Helps: Ethical scenarios can sometimes be abstract. Use the Feynman Technique to explain ethical dilemmas in simple terms. For example, describe an ethical conflict involving conflicting property claims and explain the decision-making process you would use to resolve it, keeping the client’s and the public’s interests in mind.

Example Application:

  • Step 1: Pick an ethical issue, such as a conflict of interest, and explain it to a colleague. "A conflict of interest happens when a surveyor might have a personal interest in the outcome of a survey, which could influence their professional judgment."
  • Step 2: Simplify the explanation further by providing a real-world example. "If a surveyor is hired to survey a piece of land they want to buy, they may have a conflict of interest because they could manipulate the results in their favor."
  • Step 3: If necessary, revisit ethical guidelines provided by professional organizations to clarify your understanding.

Conclusion

The Feynman Technique is a powerful tool that can transform how land surveyors approach their continuing education. By simplifying complex concepts, identifying gaps in knowledge, and teaching the material to others, surveyors can gain a deeper understanding of the technologies, laws, and methods that shape their profession.

Whether it’s mastering new surveying technologies, navigating complex legal regulations, or improving project management skills, the Feynman Technique ensures that you’re not just memorizing material but truly understanding it. In a field where accuracy, clarity, and professionalism are paramount, this study method can help surveyors stay sharp, confident, and effective in their continuing education and professional practice.

By approaching learning through the lens of the Feynman Technique, you not only enhance your own knowledge but can also contribute to the education and growth of your peers, creating a stronger, more informed surveying community.

 

This post is part of a larger series of research based posts for Maximizing Land Surveyor Education through Study Techniques

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Continuing Education Requirements

  • USA Requirements
  • International Surveyors
State Required Hours Allowed Course Types Requirements for Course Creators
Alabama 15 Online, in-person, webinars Course must align with the state’s surveying standards and cover topics relevant to state regulations.
Alaska 24 Online, in-person, webinars Courses should provide practical skills and technical updates, adhering to state’s licensing requirements.
Arizona Varies Online, in-person, webinars Creators must include industry best practices and legal compliance with Arizona land surveying laws.
Arkansas 30 Online, in-person, webinars Focus on state-specific survey methods and offer both theoretical and hands-on experience.
California Varies Online, in-person, webinars Creators need to ensure course meets California’s licensing standards and includes ethics training.
Colorado None N/A No CE required, but optional courses must align with modern surveying practices.
Connecticut Varies Online, in-person, webinars Creators should emphasize legal and regulatory updates specific to Connecticut.
Delaware 24 Online, in-person, webinars Must address state-specific laws and regulations and provide practical solutions to common survey challenges.
Florida 24 Online, in-person, webinars Focus on coastal surveying and ethical considerations in Florida’s unique geographic environment.
Georgia 15 Online, in-person, webinars Courses must cover the state's land surveying standards and integrate legal changes.
Hawaii None N/A No specific requirements, but creators should include updates on the latest technology and best practices.
Idaho 30 Online, in-person, webinars Courses should include a mix of theoretical knowledge and practical applications relevant to Idaho.
Illinois 20 Online, in-person, webinars Creators must ensure alignment with Illinois surveying regulations and provide continuing education in ethics.
Indiana 24 Online, in-person, webinars Courses should focus on state-specific surveying challenges and provide practical exercises.
Iowa 30 Online, in-person, webinars Creators must emphasize state regulations, practical experience, and hands-on learning.
Kansas 30 Online, in-person, webinars Courses must focus on local surveying challenges and best practices for accuracy and compliance.
Kentucky 8 Online, in-person, webinars Creators should provide detailed knowledge of state laws and integrate ethical standards into the curriculum.
Louisiana 8 Online, in-person, webinars Course must focus on Louisiana’s unique coastal and boundary surveying challenges.
Maine 8 Online, in-person, webinars Include a comprehensive overview of state-specific regulations and practical techniques.
Maryland 24 Online, in-person, webinars Course creators should address coastal surveying and legal updates pertinent to Maryland.
Massachusetts Varies Online, in-person, webinars Ensure that the course covers legal standards and technological advancements in land surveying.
Michigan 30 Online, in-person, webinars Creators should cover Michigan’s regulatory requirements and emphasize ethics and professionalism.
Minnesota 24 Online, in-person, webinars Must integrate updates on state laws and best practices in cold-weather surveying.
Mississippi Varies Online, in-person, webinars Focus on state-specific land use issues and technological advancements in surveying.
Missouri 20 Online, in-person, webinars Creators should include both theoretical and hands-on learning relevant to Missouri’s legal framework.
Montana 30 Online, in-person, webinars Include a focus on mountainous terrain surveying and updates on state land laws.
Nebraska 30 Online, in-person, webinars Ensure courses cover Nebraska-specific surveying challenges, including legal compliance.
Nevada 30 Online, in-person, webinars Courses should include desert land surveying techniques and local regulations.
New Hampshire 8 Online, in-person, webinars Emphasize state-specific regulatory and environmental factors in land surveying.
New Jersey 24 Online, in-person, webinars Must cover coastal and urban surveying practices in New Jersey.
New Mexico 30 Online, in-person, webinars Include state-specific boundary and desert surveying techniques.
New York 24 Online, in-person, webinars Creators should address legal changes and urban surveying techniques specific to New York.
North Carolina 30 Online, in-person, webinars Emphasize legal updates and practical surveying techniques for North Carolina.
North Dakota 30 Online, in-person, webinars Courses should focus on boundary issues and legal compliance specific to the state.
Ohio 24 Online, in-person, webinars Creators should include Ohio’s legal requirements, practical techniques, and case studies in land surveying.
Oklahoma 30 Online, in-person, webinars Course must align with Oklahoma's land surveying laws, focusing on both technical skills and ethics.
Oregon 30 Online, in-person, webinars Ensure courses address Oregon's specific environmental and legal considerations in land surveying.
Pennsylvania 24 Online, in-person, webinars Include state-specific legal updates, boundary disputes, and professional ethics.
Rhode Island 20 Online, in-person, webinars Focus on coastal and urban land surveying challenges in Rhode Island.
South Carolina 24 Online, in-person, webinars Ensure course material includes legal updates, ethics, and coastal surveying practices.
South Dakota 30 Online, in-person, webinars Creators should focus on state regulations and practical boundary surveying techniques.
Tennessee 30 Online, in-person, webinars Course should emphasize state-specific laws, boundary issues, and ethical considerations.
Texas 12 Online, in-person, webinars Ensure alignment with Texas’ legal standards and emphasize oil, gas, and boundary surveying.
Utah 30 Online, in-person, webinars Include a mix of desert land surveying techniques, state regulations, and ethical practices.
Vermont Varies Online, in-person, webinars Focus on rural land surveying techniques and Vermont’s specific land laws.
Virginia 16 Online, in-person, webinars Courses must emphasize legal updates, ethical conduct, and Virginia's unique surveying challenges.
Washington Varies Online, in-person, webinars Include coastal and environmental land surveying techniques and focus on compliance with Washington laws.
West Virginia 8 Online, in-person, webinars Course must cover local regulations and best practices for rural land surveying.
Wisconsin 20 Online, in-person, webinars Ensure coverage of Wisconsin’s legal requirements and focus on boundary disputes and ethics.
Wyoming Varies Online, in-person, webinars Course creators should emphasize rural surveying techniques and Wyoming’s state regulations.

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