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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Use geo-information output products 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
116833  Use geo-information output products 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Geographical Information Sciences 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction Physical Planning, Design and Management 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  10 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard will be useful to people whom are decision makers, have to make decisions about resources or infrastructure, or are otherwise peripherally affected by geo-information. This Unit Standard could also serve as an introduction and overview for people entering the field of geo-information.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Define and explain spatial concepts and terminology.
  • Describe the geo-information process from initial capture to final products.
  • Describe the capabilities of geo-information, spatial operations and systems.
  • Use geo-information reports. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The credit calculation is based on the assumption that learners are already competent in terms of the following outcomes or areas of learning when starting to learn towards this unit standard:
  • Basic computer Literacy.
  • Basic knowledge of geography. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Define GIS concepts and terminology. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Terminology of geo-information is defined and explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Geographical position is described and explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Datums, projections, coordinate systems).
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Commonly used GIS Software packages in SA are described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Including short supervised session with at least 2 of the commonly used software package.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Commonly used GIS data file formats are described. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Describe the geo-information process from initial capture to final products. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Sources of geo-information are identified and the use thereof explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Including but not limited to - remote sensing, surveying, scanning, digitising.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Data manipulation concepts are defined and explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Data analysis and modelling concepts are defined and explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Cartographic communication concepts are defined and explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Describe the capabilities and spatial operations of geo-information systems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Data capturing capabilities of geo-information systems are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Data manipulation capabilities of geo-information systems are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Data storage capabilities of geo-information systems are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Spatial operations of geo-information systems are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Reporting capabilities of geo-information systems are described. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Use geo-information reports. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Symbology is interpreted according to standard conventions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The effects of generalisation are identified. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Scale is used in the interpretation of geo-information output products. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Two-dimensional geo-information reports are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Thematic map, topo-cadastral map, navigational map, chart, orthophoto map, satellite image, aerial photograph, topological map, table, graph, textual report.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Three-dimensional geo-information reports are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Digital elevation model, perspective view, fly-through, animation, visualisation, thematic surface, three-dimensional feature representation.
     


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Moderation
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA by SAQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Essential embedded knowledge will be assessed through assessment of the specific outcomes in terms of the stipulated assessment criteria. Candidates are unlikely to achieve all the specific outcomes, to the standards described in the assessment criteria, without knowledge of the listed embedded knowledge. This means that for the most part, the possession or lack of the knowledge can be directly inferred from the quality of the candidate's performance. Where direct assessment of knowledge is required, assessment criteria have been included in the body of the unit standard.

    The following embedded knowledge is addressed in an integrated way in the unit standard:
  • Basic knowledge of geography.
  • Basic computer literacy. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Solve problems.
  • None 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team/ group/ organisation or community.
  • None 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively.
  • None 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, organise and critically evaluate information.
  • Sources of geo-information are identified and the use thereof explained.
  • Data manipulation concepts are defined and explained.
  • Data analysis and modelling concepts are defined and explained.
  • Cartographic communication concepts are defined and explained.
  • Spatial operations of geo-information systems are described.
  • Reporting capabilities of geo-information systems are described. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematics and language skills in the modes of oral and written presentations.
  • Terminology of geo-information is defined and explained.
  • Data capturing capabilities of geo-information systems are described.
  • Data manipulation capabilities of geo-information systems are described.
  • Data storage capabilities of geo-information systems are described.
  • Spatial operations of geo-information systems are described. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically (showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others).
  • Commonly used GIS Software packages in SA are described.
  • Commonly used GIS data file formats are described.
  • Data manipulation capabilities of geo-information systems are described.
  • Data storage capabilities of geo-information systems are described.
  • Spatial operations of geo-information systems are described. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Display an understanding of the world as a set of related systems.
  • Geographical position is described and explained.
  • Commonly used GIS Software packages in SA are described.
  • Commonly used GIS data file formats are described.
  • Data manipulation concepts are defined and explained.
  • Data analysis and modelling concepts are defined and explained.
  • Cartographic communication concepts are defined and explained.
  • Data manipulation capabilities of geo-information systems are described.
  • Data storage capabilities of geo-information systems are described.
  • Spatial operations of geo-information systems are described. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    Assessors should keep the following principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments against this unit standard:
  • Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcome expressed in the title to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Remember we want to declare the person competent in terms of the title. Where assessment at title level is unmanageable, then focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes.
  • Make sure evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the candidate is able to perform in the real situation.
  • Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.
  • The assessment criteria provide the specifications against which assessment judgements should be made. In most cases, knowledge can be inferred from the quality of the performances, but in other cases, knowledge and understanding will have to be tested through questioning techniques. Where this is required, there will be assessment criteria to specify the standard required.
  • The task of the assessor is to gather sufficient evidence, of the prescribed type and quality, as specified in this unit standard, that the candidate can achieve the outcomes again and again and again. This means assessors will have to judge how many repeat performances are required before they believe the performance is reproducible.
  • All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well documented principles of assessment: appropriateness, fairness, manageability, integration into work or learning, validity, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent. 
    		•

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  49063   National Certificate: Geographical Information Sciences  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  CETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.