Finding Property Corners
This course is only offered in special situations as it requires a significant portion of the class be performed outside and with substantial preparations.
(ce broker #20-919264 formerly TREC #7721)
Finding property corners can be challenging. This course will endeavor to enlighten the learner on how property boundaries are found, practically, theoretically, and legally.
Mary Helen Story of Signature Title will join Tim Howell of Tennessee Land Development Services to educate the participants on property boundaries through lectures, Socratic discussions, and practical applications.
*Due to unpredictable weather and general chaos, most of the “outside” work normally prescribed for this course will be handled in a more controlled environment.
1 Introduction
1.1 Purpose of Course
This course will instruct the learners to read maps and utilize available tools to locate and identify property lines and corners.
1.2 Course Description
Whether listing or showing land, Realtors will field questions regarding the location of property lines and corners. This course instructs Realtors on utilizing maps, geographical information systems (GIS), compasses, GPSs, and pacing in order to locate property lines.
1.3 Target Audience
Tennessee Realtors that list or show real property.
1.4 Knowledge and Skill Prerequisites
The following knowledge and skill prerequisites are required from the participants:
- English language skills (visual and oral)
- Web Browser and Geographical Information System (GIS) operation
- Minimal smart phone operation
1.5 Delivery Methods
This course is divided into 3 modules. Each module is comprised of individual lessons conveying information required for subsequent lessons.
Delivery of information takes place in a classroom setting as an interactive lecture and outdoors with active participation. Graphic augmentation of the lecture content uses Prezi, PowerPoint, or slides/handouts. (Instructor will modify depending on available technology in the room.)
2 Course Overview
2.1 Course Goals
Given access to the appropriate tools, the participant should be able to:
- Read and identify features on a map
- Measure distances from a map or GIS
- Use a compass to locate a bearing/azimuth
- Use GPS to locate waypoints
- Create waypoints in GPS from GIS data
- Pace Distances
2.2 Learning Environment
The course will be offered in any venue that “contains adequate space, seating, and equipment” (TREC Rule 1260-05-.03(1)(b)) and not prohibited by TREC Rule 1260-05-.06(1)(a) “conducted in a facility which is also utilized for conducting business of a broker or brokerage firm.”
The layout and availability of equipment will dictate the use of overhead projection or paper handouts. A portion of this course requires working outdoors.
2.3 Course Outline
| Module/Lesson | Objective |
| Module 1: Basic Map Reading | The learners should be able to identify features on various maps and plats as well as identify angles and distance from it. |
| Lesson 1: Cartographic Basics | The participants should be able to:
· Read a USGS topographic map. · Read a survey plat. · Determine a map’s scale and measure distances from it using an engineer’s scale. · Measure angles on a map using a protractor. |
| Lesson 2: Using GIS | The participants should be able to:
· Access state or local GIS to identify property boundaries. · Measure distances and areas on a GIS utilizing built in tools. · Determine latitude and longitude coordinates from a GIS. |
| Summary |
| Module/Lesson | Objective |
| Module 2: Very Basic Orienteering | Learners should be able to utilize a mam, compass, and a GPS receiver to determine or establish bearings. |
| Lesson 1: Pre-GPS | The learners should be able to:
· Shoot an azimuth with a compass. · Orientate their bearing using a survey plat or map. |
| Lesson 2: GPS | The participants should be able to:
· Enter a waypoint into a GPS receiver · Utilize a GPS to locate a waypoint on the ground. |
| Summary |
| Module/Lesson | Objective |
| Module 3: Field Exercises | Learners should be able to employ methods and tools from previous modules in various mock scenarios outside. |
| Lesson 1: Distances | The participants should be able to:
· Calibrate their steps and pace distances. · Utilize GPS to determine distance from a location. |
| Lesson 2: Angles | The participants should be able to:
· Utilize a paper map to determine the direction to a lost corner. · Determine angles and direction of travel utilizing a compass. · Establish the direction of travel to a known and an unknown point using GPS |
| Lesson 3: Application | Using any methods covered in this training, the participants should be able to navigate through a confidence course and determine the correct corners. |
| Summary |
2.4 Approximate Module Duration
| Module | Approximate Duration (Minutes) |
| Module 1: Basic Map Reading | 50 |
| Module 2: Very Basic Orienteering | 50 |
| Module 3: Field Exercises | 100 |
| Total Module Duration | 200 minutes |
2.5 Approximate Course Duration
Total duration for the Finding Property Corners course is 4 hours (200 minutes of instruction with 40 minutes of breaks).
3 Detailed Design
3.1 Module 1: Basic Map Reading
Module Objective: The learners should be able to identify features on various maps and plats as well as angles and distance from it.
| Lesson 1: Cartographic Basics | ||
| Lesson Objective: The participants should be able to: read a USGS topographic map, read a survey plat, determine a map’s scale and measure distances from it using an engineer’s scale, and measure angles on a map using a protractor. | ||
| Topic | Objective | Instructional Activities |
| Topic 1: Paper | The participants should be able to:
· Read a USGS topographic map. · Read a survey plat. · Determine a map’s scale and measure distances from it using an engineer’s scale. · Measure angles on a map using a protractor. | Explain:
· Discuss the elements of USGS Quadrangles and survey plats · Refresh learners on the use of a protractor and an engineer’s scale. · Demonstrate how to determine map scale and how to calculate distances. Activity: Handout various maps and plats and have learners identify features and determine the bearing and distance between different features. |
| Summary | ||
| Lesson 2: Online Resources | ||
| Lesson Objective: The participants should be able to access state or local GIS to identify property boundaries, measure distances and areas on GIS, and determine GPS coordinates from a GIS. | ||
| Topic | Objective | Instructional Activities |
| Topic 1: Using GIS | The participants should be able to:
· Access state or local GIS to identify property boundaries. · Measure distances and areas on GIS. · Determine GPS coordinates from a GIS. | Explain:
· Describe the elements and functions of online GIS sites. · Demonstrate how to utilize tools in GIS to measure distances, areas, and locate coordinates. Activity: · Have learners determine distances and areas for a particular parcel on a GIS. · Have learners identify coordinates from a GIS. |
| Summary | ||
3.2 Module 2: Very Basic Orienteering
Module Objective: Learners should be able to utilize a map, a compass, and a GPS receiver to determine or establish bearings.
| Lesson 1: Pre-GPS | ||
| Lesson Objective: The learners should be able to shoot an azimuth with a compass and orientate their bearing using a survey plat or map. | ||
| Topic | Objective | Instructional Activities |
| Topic 1: Paper | The learners should be able to orientate their bearing using a survey plat or map. | Explain:
· Discuss how to use the lines on a plat to determine the correct orientation of the map. · Demonstrate how to use an orientated map to determine the direction of a property line. Activity: Given a map of the room, have learners locate one of several possible points to determine if they can orientate and follow a plat. |
| Topic 1: Compass | The learners should be able to shoot an azimuth with a compass. | Explain:
· Discuss the terminology and functions of a compass. · Demonstrate how to property read a compass. · Demonstrate how to adjust the declination of a compass to align with the map Activity: Given compasses (or compass smartphone apps), have the learners identify the bearings of various lines within the classroom. |
| Summary | ||
| Lesson 2: GPS | ||
| Lesson Objective: The participants should be able to enter a waypoint into a GPS receiver and utilize it to locate a waypoint on the ground. | ||
| Topic | Objective | Instructional Activities |
| Topic 1: | The participants should be able to:
· Enter a waypoint into a GPS receiver · Utilize a GPS to locate a waypoint on the ground. | Explain: Discuss and demonstrate how to enter coordinates into a GPS app.
Activity: · Have learners enter coordinates for known points around the training facility. · Learners will physically locate the coordinates entered and determine the point’s label. |
| Summary | ||
3.3 Module 3: Field Exercises
Module Objective: Learners should be able to employ methods and tools from previous modules in various mock scenarios outside.
| Lesson 1: Distances | ||
| Lesson Objective: The participants should be able to calibrate their steps, pace distances, and utilize GPS to determine distance from or to a location. | ||
| Topic | Objective | Instructional Activities |
| Topic 1: Pacing | The participants should be able to calibrate their steps and pace distances. | Explain:
· Demonstrate how to pace distances. · Discuss how to determine an individual’s pace. Activity: Learners will calculate their pace distance through stepping known distances. |
| Topic 2: GPS | The participants should be able to utilize GPS to determine distance from or to a location. | Explain: Demonstrate how to use GPS to determine how far from a point you have traversed.
Activity: Have learners store their start point then determine the distance between it and another point that cannot be directly paced to. |
| Summary | ||
| Lesson 2: Angles | ||
| Lesson Objective: The participants should be able to utilize a paper map to determine the direction to a lost corner, determine angles and direction of travel utilizing a compass, and establish the direction of travel to a known and an unknown point using GPS. | ||
| Topic | Objective | Instructional Activities |
| Topic 1: Paper | The participants should be able to utilize a paper map to determine the direction to a lost corner. | Explain: Review paper traversing discussed in Module 2, Lesson 1, Topic 1.
Activity: Given plats for the local area, have learners utilize these maps to determine direction of travel to locate unknown points. |
| Topic 2: Compass | The participants should be able to determine angles and direction of travel utilizing a compass. | Explain: Review compass use from Module 2, Lesson 1, Topic 2.
Activity: Given compasses (or phone apps), have learners identify the direction of travel needed to find various unknown points. |
| Topic 3: GPS | The participants should be able to establish the direction of travel to a known and an unknown point using GPS | Explain: Review entering waypoint coordinates from Module 2, Lesson 2, Topic 1.
Activity: Given coordinates for random known points, learners should be able to enter those points into their GPS and determine which direction their point is in.
|
| Summary | ||
| Lesson 3: Application | ||
| Lesson Objective: Using any methods covered in this training, the participants should be able to navigate through a confidence course and determine the correct corners. | ||
| Topic | Objective | Instructional Activities |
| Topic 1: Instructor Lead | Using any methods covered in this training, the participants should be able to navigate through a confidence course and determine the correct corners. | Activity: Given the necessary tools and information, learners will navigate a confidence course utilizing skills learned in previous modules.
Explain: Trainer will walk through the course with the learners and assist as needed. |
| Topic 2: Contest | Using any methods covered in this training, the participants should be able to navigate through a confidence course and determine the correct corners. | Activity: Given the necessary tools and information, working in small teams, learners will navigate a confidence course utilizing skills learned in previous modules.
Awards for completion to be granted
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| Summary | ||
