摘要：The present study describes a teaching experiment aimed at the integrated
development of competences at various study subjects. According to the curriculum,
the students in Cartography at the Faculty of Geography (University of Bucharest)
should learn how to make a hypsometric map by using the computer as early as the
first semester of the 1st year of study. However, when using the software, they are not
able to understand the interpolation algorithm lying “behind” the command. Besides,
the teaching experience of the authors shows that most students use the various
commands of the GIS software or computer-assisted cartography programs only
because they exist, without considering the use of a particular command or algorithm.
Although the hypsometric map is widely used, many cartographic representations of
this kind contain errors that are derived from the superficial understanding of the basic
concepts. Consequently, we made an experiment aimed at correlating a number of
notions, concepts and procedures. Using the same basemap (a spot elevation map),
the students were able to develop the competence of interpolating and manually
drawing contour maps (during the Land Surveying class). Subsequently, once they
understood these principles, they developed the competence of making a digital
hypsometric map by using the tinting method, starting from spot elevations and not
from contour lines (at Methods and Techniques of Cartographic Representation). The
advantage was that the students were able to understand the fundamentals of a
particular program algorithm, to apply the various procedures based on understanding
them and to correlate their knowledge. All these are premises for creativity, for a
correct use of procedures (irrespective of the involved topography) and for raising the
quality of the geographic higher education.
