Ocean Teacher: A Capacity Building Tool For Oceanographic Data And Information Management

Abstract

Within the framework of the International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange (IODE) program, the IOC is assisting developing countries with the establishment of National Oceanographic Data and Information Centres. Capacity building comprises an important component of the IODE program and includes regional group training courses and workshops to familiarize data center managers in the different aspects of oceanographic data and information management.

Ocean Teacher is an internet-based system designed to provide training tools for oceanographic data and information management. These tools are used during IODE training courses but can also be used for self-training and continuous professional development. The Ocean Teacher site comprises two components: the IODE Resource Kit and the Resource Kit Training Manual. The Resource Kit contains a range of marine data-management and information-management material, including software, quality control and analysis strategies, training manuals, and relevant IOC documents. The Resource Kit Manual is a collection of outlines, notes, examples, and miscellaneous class work documents used in conjunction with the Resource Kit to organize a training program in marine data and information management.

This paper describes the approach that is being taken by IODE in developing capacity building programs and details the development of the Ocean Teacher system and its content.