About this course: Learn how advances in geospatial technology and analytical methods have changed how we do everything, and discover how to make maps and analyze geographic patterns using the latest tools. The past decade has seen an explosion of new mechanisms for understanding and using location information in widely-accessible technologies. This Geospatial Revolution has resulted in the development of consumer GPS tools, interactive web maps, and location-aware mobile devices. These radical advances are making it possible for people from all walks of life to use, collect, and understand spatial information like never before. This course brings together core concepts in cartography, geographic information systems, and spatial thinking with real-world examples to provide the fundamentals necessary to engage with Geography beyond the surface-level. We will explore what makes spatial information special, how spatial data is created, how spatial analysis is conducted, and how to design maps so that they’re effective at telling the stories we wish to share. To gain experience using this knowledge, we will work with the latest mapping and analysis software to explore geographic problems.
Who is this class for: No background is required; all are welcome. If you're already a Geospatial Guru, then you might find this class a bit basic, in which case I hope you'll consider taking the online geospatial education courses that we offer at Penn State: more information on our online certificate and Master's in GIS programs is available at: www.pennstategis.com.
Taught by: Dr. Anthony C. Robinson, Lead Faculty for Online Geospatial Education
Department of Geography
| Level | Beginner |
| Commitment | 6-8 hours / week |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
- Video: Course Introduction
- Reading: Let's Make A Map
- Video: Lesson 1 - Lecture 1
- Reading: The Geospatial Revolution
- Video: Lesson 1 - Lecture 2
- Reading: The Changing Nature of Place
- Reading: What Is Geography?
- Reading: Geospatial Revolution Video
- Reading: Lesson 1 Mapping Activity
- Discussion Prompt: Privacy and the Geospatial Revolution
- Video: Lesson 2 - Lecture 1
- Reading: Spatial is Special
- Reading: Thinking like a Geographer
- Video: Lesson 2 - Lecture 2
- Reading: Spatial Relationships
- Reading: Scale and Time
- Reading: Geospatial Revolution Video
- Reading: Lesson 2 Mapping Activity
- Discussion Prompt: Change Matters In Geography
- Video: Lesson 3 - Lecture 1
- Reading: Spatial Data
- Reading: The Earth from Above
- Video: Lesson 3 - Lecture 2
- Reading: Who Makes Spatial Data?
- Reading: Describing Spatial Data
- Reading: Lesson 3 Mapping Activity
- Reading: Geospatial Revolution Video
- Discussion Prompt: Where Do Disasters Happen, and How Can Maps Help?
- Video: Lesson 4 - Lecture 1
- Reading: Analysis Pitfalls
- Video: Lesson 4 - Lecture 2
- Reading: Spatial Analysis
- Reading: Normalization
- Reading: Geospatial Revolution Video
- Reading: Lesson 4 Mapping Activity
- Discussion Prompt: Mapping Social Media - What's It Good For?
- Video: Lesson 5 - Lecture 1
- Reading: Making Great Maps
- Reading: Layout & Symbols
- Video: Lesson 5 - Lecture 2
- Reading: Choosing Color Schemes
- Reading: Data Classification
- Reading: Text on Maps
- Reading: Geospatial Revolution Video
- Discussion Prompt: Storytelling With Maps
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Postscript
Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.
Connect with thousands of other learners and debate ideas, discuss course material, and get help mastering concepts.
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An excellent introductory course that covers basic theories and concepts about mapping and engages you with a useful map creation assignment during the last week of the course. Lectures, videos, and texts and a list of resources all useful.
Great content, good structure and inspiring lectures.
Good introductory course
Really enjoyed this course. It was carefully structured and presented in a light-hearted way, without dumbing down. The labs were interesting and introduced this old geographer to new ways of mapping and presenting information to learners.
Will be using story making maps with my adult learners and hope to build on the experience.
Great course, great ideas, well presented. A fabulous experience and really cheered me up!