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Maximizing Continuing Education for Professional Land Surveyors Using Spaced Repetition

Posted by Justin Farrow on September 4, 2024 at 3:10pm in Continuing Education, Valuable Insight, Land Surveyor Education

Continuing education (CE) is an integral part of professional land surveying, ensuring that surveyors stay up-to-date with the latest technologies, legal regulations, and industry best practices. However, the challenge for many professionals is retaining vast amounts of information over time. A highly effective learning strategy that addresses this challenge is spaced repetition—a method designed to enhance long-term retention by systematically revisiting information at increasing intervals.

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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For professional land surveyors, mastering the core concepts of their field—whether it's the latest surveying technology, regulatory updates, or ethical guidelines—can be much more efficient through the use of spaced repetition. This technique capitalizes on the psychological principle known as the spacing effect, which shows that spreading out learning over time improves retention far better than cramming.

This article will delve into how professional land surveyors can apply spaced repetition to their continuing education, offering a structured plan that can significantly boost learning outcomes.

What Is Spaced Repetition?

Spaced repetition is a learning technique that involves revisiting material at gradually increasing intervals. The goal is to reinforce the material just before you're about to forget it, solidifying it in long-term memory. The idea is to focus on the recall process to make learning more efficient, ensuring that important knowledge—such as surveying techniques, legal regulations, or technological updates—is retained over the long term.

Rather than reviewing information repeatedly within a short period (cramming), spaced repetition allows surveyors to schedule review sessions in a way that optimizes the brain's natural forgetting curve, helping learners retain the material longer and with fewer repetitions.

Why Spaced Repetition Is Effective for Land Surveyors

As a land surveyor, you are responsible for a diverse set of skills and knowledge, from understanding GPS systems and drone technology to staying updated on boundary law and ethical standards. Given the volume of information and the practical nature of the job, it's crucial to adopt study methods that maximize retention and practical application.

Spaced repetition is particularly valuable for:

  • Technology Mastery: Learning new tools like GIS software or laser scanning systems requires sustained practice. Spaced repetition ensures that you don’t forget key technical concepts while advancing to more complex operations.
  • Legal and Regulatory Knowledge: Keeping up with changing laws and regulations is critical to avoiding costly mistakes in the field. Spaced repetition can help embed these updates into your memory so they are readily accessible during your work.
  • Ethics and Best Practices: Ethical principles in land surveying can be nuanced, and they require continuous reinforcement. Spaced repetition helps engrain these standards into daily professional conduct.

Implementing Spaced Repetition for Land Surveyors: A Step-by-Step Plan

To integrate spaced repetition into your CE routine, follow this structured schedule. The goal is to start with frequent reviews and gradually increase the time between study sessions as the material becomes more familiar. This plan assumes you’re starting with limited knowledge of the material.

Introduction Phase (Weeks 1-3)

This phase is designed to familiarize you with the basics and establish a foundation.

  1. Initial Review (Day 1): After your first exposure to new material—whether it’s from an article, webinar, or hands-on training—review your notes or the key concepts within 24 hours. This initial review will help reinforce the material and prevent immediate forgetting.

    Example: After learning about a new surveying technology like drone mapping, review your notes on the key features, pros, and cons of using drones in land surveys.

  2. Second Review (Day 3): Two days later, revisit the material with a focus on areas you found difficult. Actively engage with the content by practicing quizzes, summarizing the information in your own words, or drawing diagrams.

    Example: If you struggled with the legal regulations on property boundaries, spend this review session summarizing key laws and testing your understanding through case studies.

  3. Third Review (Day 10): About a week after your second review, dive deeper into the material. Try using more interactive methods, such as creating mind maps or teaching the concepts to a colleague or peer.

    Example: Create a mind map that links different aspects of boundary law with relevant case studies or legal principles. Alternatively, explain how a new surveying tool works to a coworker.

Reinforcement Phase (Weeks 4-6)

In this phase, you begin to extend the intervals between reviews while testing your deeper understanding of the material.

  1. Fourth Review (Day 24): Two weeks after your third review, evaluate how well you remember the material. Focus on identifying weak points and revisit those areas specifically. Mix up your learning methods by using flashcards, simulations, or practicing with real-world examples.

    Example: Use flashcards to quiz yourself on key surveying formulas or the steps required to set up a GPS system. If possible, use surveying equipment in the field to reinforce your learning.

  2. Fifth Review (Day 45): About one month after the fourth review, conduct a comprehensive review of the material. Try to apply your knowledge in a broader context, such as relating it to an ongoing project or a hypothetical scenario you might face in your work.

    Example: If you’ve been learning about project management in surveying, apply those concepts to a current or hypothetical project. How would you allocate resources or schedule tasks?

Maintenance Phase (Months 2-4)

At this point, you are familiar with the material, and the goal is to maintain your knowledge over the long term by periodically revisiting the content.

  1. Sixth Review (2 Months After the Fifth Review): After a couple of months, revisit the material with an emphasis on retrieval practice. Challenge yourself to recall key principles or techniques without referring to your notes.

    Example: Test yourself on legal regulations or ethical dilemmas you might encounter during a land survey. Can you explain the key laws governing easements or recall the steps to resolve a boundary dispute?

  2. Subsequent Reviews (Every 3-4 Months): Continue to schedule review sessions every few months. Each session should include a review of previous material, but also introduce new developments in land surveying, such as technological advancements or changes in regulations. Incorporate recent publications or industry news into your reviews to keep your knowledge up-to-date.

    Example: If you’ve been following changes in drone technology or new surveying regulations, incorporate those updates into your review sessions to ensure your knowledge stays current and relevant.

Enhancing the Effectiveness of Spaced Repetition

While spaced repetition is a powerful tool for retention, its effectiveness can be further amplified by using active learning techniques and integrating modern technology.

  1. Active Engagement: Instead of passively reading your notes, actively engage with the content. Write summaries, create diagrams, or explain the material to others. By doing so, you reinforce your understanding and make the material easier to recall.

    Example: If you’ve been learning about property law, try to explain the key principles to a colleague, family member, or friend. Teaching is one of the best ways to reinforce learning.

  2. Use Technology: Take advantage of spaced repetition apps or tools that automate the process for you. Apps like Anki or Quizlet allow you to create flashcards that are reviewed at spaced intervals based on your performance. These apps can track how well you know certain concepts and adjust review schedules accordingly.

    Example: Create digital flashcards for technical terms, surveying formulas, or legal principles using an app like Anki. The app will prompt you to review each card at the appropriate interval to optimize retention.

  3. Adapt the Schedule: Everyone learns at a different pace, so be flexible with the review intervals. If you find that certain concepts are particularly difficult to remember, reduce the time between reviews for those areas.

    Example: If you consistently struggle with data analysis in GIS software, schedule more frequent reviews on that topic until you feel comfortable with the material.

Conclusion

Spaced repetition is a game-changing technique for professional land surveyors looking to maximize the retention of critical information from their continuing education. By systematically revisiting material at spaced intervals, surveyors can ensure that key concepts—whether technological, legal, or ethical—remain fresh in their minds, allowing for better performance both in the field and during licensure renewal.

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

By following a structured spaced repetition plan and incorporating active learning techniques, you can turn your continuing education into a powerful tool for career growth and professional mastery. Stay consistent, adapt as needed, and keep building on your foundation to remain at the cutting edge of the land surveying profession.

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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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