Learning by doing: experiential approaches to developing digital and entrepreneurial competences

Abstract

The geodesic sciences, encompassing geodesy, geoinformatics, cartography, remote sensing, photogrammetry, and spatial data science, stand at a critical and dynamic inflection point. Driven by the digital revolution, the field is undergoing a profound transformation characterized by an explosion of data volume (Big Geo-Data), velocity (real-time sensing), and variety (from IoT sensors to social media geotags), and the disruptive integration of advanced computational techniques such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and cloud computing. Concurrently, societal demands on the discipline are escalating, requiring not only advanced technical solutions for climate monitoring, urban resilience, and sustainable resource management but also commercially viable applications that drive the burgeoning geospatial economy. This dual imperative creates a significant competence gap between traditional geodesic education, often rooted in theoretical principles and standardized software training, and the multifaceted expertise required in the modern workplace and entrepreneurial landscape. Graduates must now possess a hybrid skill set: deep digital competences (e.g., advanced programming, cloud-based geospatial processing, AI/ML application, data engineering) seamlessly integrated with core geodetic knowledge, and robust entrepreneurial competences (e.g., opportunity recognition in the geospatial market, business model design for geo-services, value proposition development, customer discovery, intellectual property strategy). This paper argues that the dominant pedagogical paradigm of passive knowledge transmission, lectures followed by controlled practicals, is fundamentally inadequate for developing this complex, applied, and creative competence profile. Instead, it advocates for the widespread and systematic adoption of "Learning by Doing" (LbD) or experiential learning as the central pedagogical philosophy for modern geodesic education. This comprehensive 2000-word abstract explores the theoretical foundations, practical implementations, and institutional implications of applying experiential approaches to cultivate the digital and entrepreneurial competences essential for the future of the geodesic sciences. It contends that only through immersive, authentic, problem-centered experiences can students construct the integrated, adaptable, and innovative expertise needed to thrive as professionals and entrepreneurs in the digital geospatial era.