Curriculum Module:

Learning Objectives:

After completing the module the successful learner is able to:

What is Metadata?

• illustrate the concept of metadata using a common analogy, e.g. product label, journalistic reporting, notes on a photo
• explain metadata as a element of the data
• describe metadata creation and maintenance as a GIS best practice

Value of Metadata

• identify at least four values of metadata, e.g., data distribution and discovery, data assessment and consumer info, data access, data archive, data management
• elaborate upon the role of metadata in data management, e.g. internal data discovery, assess data currency, monitor data development, contractor deliverable

National Spatial Data Infrastructure

• explain what is the NSDI
• state the vision of the NSDI

Framework Data Standards

• define what is a framework standard
• explain the concept of Framework
• list the seven primary   Framework themes
• describe the value of implementing framework data content standards
• discuss the purpose of framework standards to facilitate data sharing not as full content implementation discuss how framework data information is documented in metadata

Geodata.gov - general

• discuss purpose and goals
• locate and access the portal
• describe at least four of the six functions of the website, e.g. search for data, create metadata, publish metadata, identify community-specific resources via a theme Channel, identify and post data acquisition partnership opportunities
• discuss the benefits of participating with geodata.gov

• geodata.gov demo or hands-on

• explore the website
• successfully locate desired information

• participating in geodata.gov

• insert ISO Topic Categories into their metadata collections as Theme_Keywords
• publish geospatial resources via the website

• Market Place

• discuss the value of the “Market Place”

CSDGM Standard - general

• recognize that the standard is extensive because it must support a wide range of geospatial data types, e.g. GIS, imagery, CAD, dbases, field notes and photographs
• describe the general content of the CSDGM or the ISO 19115/19139
• differentiate between a Section, Compound Element, and Data Element
• Acknowledge and apply information format requirements such as date

• CSDGM Graphic Representation diagrams

• determine the conditionality of any element

• quick review of the CSDGM

• describe the content of the primary sections of the CSDGM
• describe the content of three of the five supporting sections
• express Bounding_Coordinates in the required format

• using the CSDGM Greenbook

• locate the definition of any element
• utilize FAQs and example metadata

• detailed review of CSDGM

• describe the content of each primary section of the CSDGM
• determine applicability of remaining standard sections to documenting specific data sets
• describe how using ‘template' approach can simplify and expedite metadata creation

Quality Metadata – general review

• differentiate between minimally compliant and quality metadata

• Bakers' Dozen review

• list five rules for writing quality metadata

• Metadata Quick Guide review

• write a complete Title and Abstract
• identify one use for Supplemental_Information
• determine when to provide an Entity_&_Attribute Overview_Description vs. a Detailed_Description
• describe special values for two CSDGM elements that will facilitate transition to ISO and/or utility of the record within Geodata.gov, e.g., provide multiple Online_Linkage values (data viewing, data download, web-mapping services); use of ISO Topic Categories as Theme_Keywords

Metadata Tools – general review

• determine their best metadata tool options

• complete the form or exercise using their own data resources

Hands-on Metadata Creation: computer

• software specific instruction

• locate the software for access or purchase
• explore and generally operate the software

• hands-on parsing (mp)

• parse their own metadata
• interpret the error report
• edit the metadata record

• digital template/select section

• complete the same template of subset of elements for their own data resources

• digital full record

• complete a full metadata record for their own data resources

Geospatial data discovery and access via NSDI Clearinghouse or GOS Portal

• discuss the purpose of the NSDI clearinghouse
• using the search interface, successfully discover and access geospatial metadata posted to a NSDI clearinghouse or GOS Portal

Optional Modules

Making Metadata Part of the Process

• present the business case for metadata to their administration
• create an organizational metadata template (pertinent fields and some core content)
• implement at least two changes in their data development workflow that incorporates metadata creation
• draft a metadata creation and management guideline document

Transition to ISO

• explain the relationship between FGDC, ANSI, and ISO
• cite two reasons for implementing the ISO standard
• cite two new elements or features provided by the ISO standard
• recognize that agencies should continue to create CSDGM format metadata
• outline steps for preparing for the transition to ISO, e.g. inform admin and technical staff of the pending change, include ISO Topic Categories as Theme_Keywords, monitor the dgiwg metadata website, participate in calls for review

Feature-level Metadata

• extract features from an existing geospatial database and generate metadata for each

Creating Functional Templates

• create an organizational, theme, or project specific metadata template by extracting all pertinent metadata fields from the CSDGM and identifying those fields that will require standardized language