Coursera
Explore
  • Browse
  • Search
  • For Enterprise
  • Log In
  • Sign Up

Maps and the Geospatial Revolution

OverviewSyllabusFAQsCreatorsRatings and Reviews

HomeData ScienceData Analysis

Maps and the Geospatial Revolution

The Pennsylvania State University

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.


Created by:  The Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University

  • Dr. Anthony C. Robinson

    Taught by:  Dr. Anthony C. Robinson, Lead Faculty for Online Geospatial Education

    Department of Geography
LevelBeginner
Commitment6-8 hours / week
Language
English
How To PassPass all graded assignments to complete the course.
User Ratings
4.7 stars
Average User Rating 4.7See what learners said
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Getting Started
Watch a short video to learn how this class works (it's a bit different than other MOOCs) and help make a map with your classmates.
1 video, 1 reading
  1. Video: Course Introduction
  2. Reading: Let's Make A Map
The Changing Nature of Place
Discover the Geospatial Revolution and its impact on the rapidly evolving science of Geography.
2 videos, 5 readings
  1. Video: Lesson 1 - Lecture 1
  2. Reading: The Geospatial Revolution
  3. Video: Lesson 1 - Lecture 2
  4. Reading: The Changing Nature of Place
  5. Reading: What Is Geography?
  6. Reading: Geospatial Revolution Video
  7. Reading: Lesson 1 Mapping Activity
  8. Discussion Prompt: Privacy and the Geospatial Revolution
Graded: Lesson 1 Quiz
WEEK 2
Spatial is Special
Explore what it means to think spatially and consider the impacts of scale and time.
2 videos, 6 readings
  1. Video: Lesson 2 - Lecture 1
  2. Reading: Spatial is Special
  3. Reading: Thinking like a Geographer
  4. Video: Lesson 2 - Lecture 2
  5. Reading: Spatial Relationships
  6. Reading: Scale and Time
  7. Reading: Geospatial Revolution Video
  8. Reading: Lesson 2 Mapping Activity
  9. Discussion Prompt: Change Matters In Geography
Graded: Lesson 2 Quiz
WEEK 3
Understanding Spatial Data
Examine the key elements of spatial datasets.
2 videos, 6 readings
  1. Video: Lesson 3 - Lecture 1
  2. Reading: Spatial Data
  3. Reading: The Earth from Above
  4. Video: Lesson 3 - Lecture 2
  5. Reading: Who Makes Spatial Data?
  6. Reading: Describing Spatial Data
  7. Reading: Lesson 3 Mapping Activity
  8. Reading: Geospatial Revolution Video
  9. Discussion Prompt: Where Do Disasters Happen, and How Can Maps Help?
Graded: Lesson 3 Quiz
WEEK 4
Doing Spatial Analysis
Learn how Geographers solve problems using spatial analysis techniques.
2 videos, 5 readings
  1. Video: Lesson 4 - Lecture 1
  2. Reading: Analysis Pitfalls
  3. Video: Lesson 4 - Lecture 2
  4. Reading: Spatial Analysis
  5. Reading: Normalization
  6. Reading: Geospatial Revolution Video
  7. Reading: Lesson 4 Mapping Activity
  8. Discussion Prompt: Mapping Social Media - What's It Good For?
Graded: Lesson 4 Quiz
WEEK 5
Making Great Maps
Explore the key elements of effective cartographic design.
2 videos, 8 readings
  1. Video: Lesson 5 - Lecture 1
  2. Reading: Making Great Maps
  3. Reading: Layout & Symbols
  4. Video: Lesson 5 - Lecture 2
  5. Reading: Choosing Color Schemes
  6. Reading: Data Classification
  7. Reading: Text on Maps
  8. Reading: Geospatial Revolution Video
  9. Discussion Prompt: Storytelling With Maps
  10. Reading: Resources
  11. Reading: Postscript
Graded: Storytelling With Maps
Graded: Final Exam

FAQs
How It Works
Coursework
Coursework

Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.

Help from Your Peers
Help from Your Peers

Connect with thousands of other learners and debate ideas, discuss course material, and get help mastering concepts.

Certificates
Certificates

Earn official recognition for your work, and share your success with friends, colleagues, and employers.

Creators
The Pennsylvania State University
Founded in 1855 as Pennsylvania's only land-grant university, The Pennsylvania State University combines academic rigor with a vibrant campus life. A nationally recognized Research-I institution, Penn State teaches students to be leaders with a global perspective. Supporting not only the citizens of our Commonwealth, Penn State engages in collaborative activities with industrial, educational, and agricultural partners in the United States and abroad to generate, disseminate, integrate, and apply knowledge that is valuable to society.
Ratings and Reviews
Rated 4.7 out of 5 of 88 ratings
David Rendell

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!

AY

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.

Benjamin

Great content, good structure and inspiring lectures.

ASEEM APURV

Good introductory course



You May Also Like
University of California, Davis
Geospatial and Environmental Analysis
1 course
University of California, Davis
Geospatial and Environmental Analysis
View course
University of California, Davis
GIS Data Formats, Design and Quality
1 course
University of California, Davis
GIS Data Formats, Design and Quality
View course
University of California, Davis
Imagery, Automation, and Applications
1 course
University of California, Davis
Imagery, Automation, and Applications
View course
University of California, Davis
Fundamentals of GIS
1 course
University of California, Davis
Fundamentals of GIS
View course
University of California, Davis
Geospatial Analysis Project
1 course
University of California, Davis
Geospatial Analysis Project
View course
Coursera
Coursera provides universal access to the world’s best education, partnering with top universities and organizations to offer courses online.
© 2018 Coursera Inc. All rights reserved.
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
  • Coursera
  • About
  • Leadership
  • Careers
  • Catalog
  • Certificates
  • Degrees
  • For Business
  • For Government
  • Community
  • Partners
  • Mentors
  • Translators
  • Developers
  • Beta Testers
  • Connect
  • Blog
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Google+
  • Tech Blog
  • More
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Help
  • Accessibility
  • Press
  • Contact
  • Directory
  • Affiliates