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Enhancing Continuing Education for Professional Land Surveyors with Active Recall

Posted by Justin Farrow on September 5, 2024 at 3:33pm in Continuing Education, Valuable Insight, Land Surveyor Education

Active Recall Study Technique for Land Surveyors

Continuing education (CE) is vital for professional land surveyors to remain competitive, stay updated with advancements, and maintain licensure. However, ensuring that the knowledge gained from CE is retained and applied effectively requires more than just passive learning. One highly effective technique to achieve this is active recall. This method involves actively retrieving information from memory, which reinforces understanding and strengthens retention. For land surveyors, who need to master a wide array of skills from legal standards to technological advancements, active recall can make the learning process more engaging and productive.

This article will explore how land surveyors can apply active recall to their continuing education journey, highlighting key areas such as legal standards, technological advancements, and professional development, all while improving retention and application of learned knowledge.

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

What Is Active Recall?

Active recall is a learning technique where individuals actively try to retrieve information from memory, rather than passively reviewing material. By challenging the brain to remember facts, concepts, or processes without immediately referring to study aids, learners engage in deeper cognitive processing, which improves their ability to retain and apply knowledge over time.

In the context of land surveying, active recall can be used to remember technical concepts, legal regulations, ethical standards, and best practices. Whether preparing for licensure renewal or staying current with new technologies, actively recalling learned information ensures that surveyors can apply their knowledge when it’s needed most—in the field.

Why Active Recall Is Effective for Land Surveyors

Land surveying involves an intricate combination of legal, technological, and practical knowledge. Surveyors must be proficient in everything from interpreting property law to using GPS and UAV technology. Active recall helps surveyors deeply engage with this diverse body of knowledge, which is crucial for:

  • Long-term Retention: Surveyors are required to remember and apply knowledge years after they learn it. Active recall ensures this knowledge stays fresh.
  • Application in the Field: Surveying often involves solving complex, real-world problems. Active recall enhances problem-solving skills by strengthening the brain’s ability to retrieve relevant information quickly and accurately.
  • Licensure and Compliance: Many state licensing boards mandate CE credits for licensure renewal. Active recall ensures that the information learned is retained and contributes to meeting both regulatory requirements and professional growth.

Applying Active Recall to Key Areas of Continuing Education

Here’s how land surveyors can use active recall across various aspects of their continuing education, ensuring they not only remember but also effectively apply the knowledge gained.

1. Legal and Ethical Standards

Why It Matters: Staying current with legal and ethical standards is essential for land surveyors. Laws governing property boundaries, land use, and professional conduct frequently change, and ethical issues must be navigated carefully.

Active Recall Strategy:
After attending a seminar on boundary law or property rights, instead of merely reviewing notes, land surveyors should test themselves by trying to explain key legal principles from memory. They could pose questions like:

  • "What are the primary legal considerations when surveying disputed boundaries?"
  • "What ethical responsibilities do surveyors have when resolving boundary conflicts?"

By recalling the answers from memory, surveyors reinforce their understanding of these critical areas.

2. Technological Advancements

Why It Matters: The rise of technologies such as UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems), and LiDAR has transformed land surveying. Surveyors need to stay proficient with these tools to remain competitive and accurate in their work.

Active Recall Strategy:
After completing a course on UAV technology, a surveyor might ask themselves:

  • "How does UAV technology improve data collection for large-scale surveys?"
  • "What are the benefits of GNSS in comparison to traditional surveying methods?"

This process of recalling technological concepts helps solidify the surveyor’s understanding and prepares them to apply the knowledge in practical situations.

3. Interdisciplinary Knowledge

Why It Matters: Land surveyors often benefit from understanding related fields like geology, civil engineering, or geography. Continuing education in these areas can enhance their expertise and broaden their service offerings.

Active Recall Strategy:
After learning about how geology influences land use planning, a surveyor can challenge themselves with questions like:

  • "How does understanding soil composition impact the planning of construction projects?"
  • "In what ways can interdisciplinary knowledge from civil engineering improve my surveying techniques?"

This active recall practice can be especially beneficial when surveyors need to apply interdisciplinary knowledge in complex projects.

4. Professional Development and Leadership

Why It Matters: Continuing education isn’t just about technical skills; it also helps surveyors develop leadership and project management abilities. These skills are crucial for those looking to advance their careers or manage larger teams.

Active Recall Strategy:
After attending a leadership workshop, surveyors can ask themselves questions like:

  • "What leadership strategies can I apply to improve team efficiency during a project?"
  • "How can better communication skills enhance client relations in surveying?"

By recalling these answers, surveyors can internalize key professional development principles and apply them in leadership roles.

5. Case Studies and Practical Application

Why It Matters: Learning through real-world examples is one of the most effective ways for surveyors to apply new knowledge. Active recall can help professionals remember case studies and apply lessons learned in their day-to-day work.

Active Recall Strategy:
After reviewing a case study on a surveying project involving complex legal challenges, a surveyor could ask:

  • "What was the main challenge in the project, and how was it resolved?"
  • "What techniques from the case study can I apply to my current projects?"

By recalling the details of the case study, surveyors enhance their ability to apply similar solutions in future projects.

Active Recall in Regulatory Compliance

Why It Matters: Continuing education is often mandated by licensing bodies, and surveyors must ensure that their CE activities comply with these regulations. However, it's not enough to simply meet the requirements—surveyors should also ensure that the knowledge they gain through CE contributes to their professional growth.

Active Recall Strategy:
After completing a course to fulfill CE requirements, surveyors can self-test with questions like:

  • "How does this course fulfill my state’s CE requirements?"
  • "What are the key takeaways from this course that I can apply in my day-to-day work?"

This approach not only ensures compliance with regulations but also reinforces the practical benefits of continuing education.

Networking and Knowledge Sharing Through Active Recall

Why It Matters: Participating in professional associations and attending conferences as part of CE provides valuable opportunities for networking and knowledge sharing. Active recall can enhance this experience by helping surveyors remember key insights from discussions with peers or industry experts.

Active Recall Strategy:
After attending a conference or networking event, surveyors can ask themselves:

  • "What new trends did I learn about at the conference, and how do they apply to my work?"
  • "What were the main takeaways from my discussions with peers?"

By actively recalling these details, surveyors can retain valuable insights and apply them in their professional practice.

Incorporating Active Recall into Reflective Practice

Why It Matters: Reflective practice encourages professionals to evaluate their experiences and learning, helping them to improve their decision-making skills. Active recall can be integrated into this reflective process, ensuring that surveyors not only reflect on what they’ve learned but also internalize it.

Active Recall Strategy:
After completing a project or learning a new skill, surveyors can reflect by asking themselves:

  • "What worked well during this project, and what could I improve?"
  • "How can I apply the new knowledge I’ve gained to future projects?"

By actively recalling these answers, surveyors strengthen their ability to apply lessons learned in future situations.

Conclusion

Active recall is a powerful learning technique that enhances retention, understanding, and application of continuing education for professional land surveyors. By actively engaging with learned material through self-testing and recall exercises, surveyors can ensure that they not only meet licensure and regulatory requirements but also gain practical knowledge that can be applied in the field.

Whether recalling legal principles, technological advancements, or leadership strategies, active recall can turn passive learning into a dynamic, memory-strengthening process. Incorporating active recall into your continuing education plan will not only help you stay competitive but also ensure long-term professional growth in the evolving field of land surveying.

NOTE: 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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