Free online GIS courses to pick up in 2016

gis-online-courses-list

While term ‘geospatial’ is becoming more and more trendy, many do still not know what hides behind the term. List of reasons for learning some geomatics as soon as possible could probably make a whole dedicated post. This time though, we won’t be convincing you that geospatial technology is amazing, but will give a list of opportunities for learning.

Below, you will find online courses from various platforms, that will help you to get more familiar with geographic information technologies as a tool for creating maps, mapping change, spatial analysis, remote sensing or creating cool info-graphics.

We tried to include courses from beginner to advanced level, so that each reader can find something that suits their level.

 

1. Geospatial Intelligence & the Geospatial Revolution

geo-int

Level: Introductory

Duration of the course: 5 weeks of study

Time needed: 6-9 hours/week

Language of instruction: English

Course begins: February 5th or future sessions

Welcome to geospatial revolution!

Aim of this course is to introduce how much our lives have changed due to geospatial technologies.
In the last years, our society has made a long way from using piles of paper maps to incredibly advanced and flawless automated technology.
Apart from relieving us from the necessity to use paper maps for navigation needs, what other opportunities are given to us in our smart phones that are packed with geospatial technology?

During 5 weeks you will get an overview of advances in satellite technologies, GPS, unmanned aerial systems. It will also explain how our vision and perception of reality is changing with wireless communications, handheld computing, and ability to instantly replace robust map analysis by automated processes.

Geospatial technology course is delivered by Dr. Todd Bacastow, Professor of Practice for Geospatial Intelligence, from Pennsylvania State University.

While the course has already started on 5th of February, you may still use the opportunity to freely study course materials, or to enroll for future sessions.

Course link

 

2. Sensing Planet Earth – Water and Ice

sensing_earth

Level: Introductory

Duration of the course: 5 weeks of study

Time needed: 6 hours/week

Language of instruction: English

Course begins: March 21st , 2016

Earth is a very beautiful place to live in!
It is hard to disagree on this statement, but… all of us have seen disturbing news about glaciers and ice caps melting, water levers rising, floods and hurricanes being stronger than ever, droughts being more severe. So what exactly is happening to our planet? How fast is it happening? How can we separate media drama from scientific observation of change that is actually happening? How big is the part of human activity impact?

This course will help to learn, how to get reliable data in order to make analysis of processes in the Earth’s complex system. There are several ways to monitor Earth with the help of remote sensing methodology that will be presented in this course.

Isn’t is exciting to learn how to spy on your own planet?

Course link

 

3. Going Places with Spatial Analysis

going_places_650

Level: Introductory to intermediate

Duration of the course: 6 weeks

Time needed: 2-3 hours/week

Language of instruction: English

Course begins: May 11th , 2016

Course is offered by ESRI and is a good opportunity to try capabilities of ArcGIS Online software for free and under professional supervision. Having little to no previous background will suit to this course’s syllabus, as one of the ideas is to introduce to representatives of business and governmental sector importance of counting location factor for effective decision making.
In this course, getting more theory on spatial data and spatial analysis techniques goes along with practicing real geospatial analysis work flow in a cloud-based mapping environment.

Course link

 

4. Do-It-Yourself Geo Apps

DIY_apps

Level: Intermediate to advanced

Duration of the course: 4 weeks

Time needed: 3-4 hours/week

Language of instruction: English

Course begins: July 20th, 2016

This MOOC (massive open online course) is designed by the industry leader for everyone who would like to build applications using geospatial reference. During one month of study, you will get to know how mobile geo applications can improve life in your community, how to put your story on the map, and ways to use open data to build your mobile app.

Note, that the course is build in a way that both developers and GIS enthusiasts can benefit from it, choosing the most interesting modules.

Course link

 

5. Exploring Humans’ Space: An Introduction to Geographicity

geographicity

Level: Introductory

Duration of the course: 10 weeks of study

Time needed: 4 hours/week

Language of instruction: English

Course begins: September 26th, 2016

This course is designed at Swiss institute of Technology by a dream team of researchers in the areas of geopgraphy, urbanism, computer science, social science and history.

10-week educational journey will start with exploring concept of space and coming to understand how important this concept is in our lives. Afterwards students will move to analyzing different ways of utilizing space (and geography, as an approach to human spaces) can be used to understand social worlds and societies. From given perspective, during the course together with the instructors students will explore the city, urbanization, urbanity, urbanism, as well as individual actors in globalizing world and the complex relation between the society and biophysical world.

Idea behind the course on geographicity is to help students to deal with matter of the space after the end of the course. Ultimately, students will be enabled not just to read, but also to create their own maps.

Course link

 

6. Sharpen Your GIS Skills

Sharpen_GIS

Level: Intermediate

Duration of the course: 2,5 hours of videos, 17 lectures

Time needed: Self-paced

Language of instruction: English

Course begins: Anytime (no instruction)

If you have ArcGIS for Desktop installed on your computer, but you feel stuck or frustrated with it at a times – this course may be the kick needed to get to the next level of software proficiency.

It will introduce new way to sharpen your GIS skills and support your organization.

Throughout the course students will learn how to share content that you’ve already created, so that it will be available to more people, and also learn to use of resources and information around that will help you do your work.

By learning how to use web GIS for spatial analysis, and ways of doing spatial analysis, we can all learn how to make better decisions.

This is a splendid opportunity to advance is GIS and to get knowledge straight from the ERSI professionals.

Course link

 

7. An Introduction To Working With Electronic Maps

El_Maps

Level: Introductory

Duration of the course: 1 hour of video, 14 lectures

Time needed: Self-paced

Language of instruction: English

Course begins: Anytime (no instruction)

If you are not sure what GIS stands for, but you were curious about content of our blog, then you might consider taking this introductory course to geographic information systems.

Many people are already using electronic map applications, but are not quite sure what is the technology behind them. With the help of this course you can take a closer look on electronic mapping systems, data representation and working with maps.

Using open source GIS software QGIS one will learn how to read, change and create maps.

Basically, a simple and clear introduction to geographic information for wide range of applications.

Novices are welcome!

Course link

 

8. Maps and the Geospatial Revolution

maps_revolution

Level: Introductory

Duration of the course: 5 weeks

Time needed: 9 hours a week

Language of instruction: English

Course begins: Unknown, subscribe for future session

Would you like to design maps that tell great stories?

That’s the course that provides all the tools for this. Starting from distinguishing spatial data from other types of data, to finally creating own maps, track of this course will provide you many spatial and special experiences.

Here, aspiring geographers will receive theoretical background coupled with exercises based on real world data. You will learn how geospatial revolution has impacted everyone, as well as get hands on experience using latest mapping and spatial analysis tools.

You will learn core concepts in cartography, geographic information science and spatial thinking.

Starting date of this course is to be announced, so one can register to get email notification when the next session will be scheduled.

Course link

 

9. From GPS and Google Maps to Spatial Computing

from gps to computing

Level: Intermediate to Advanced

Duration of the course: 5 weeks

Time needed: 9 hours a week

Language of instruction: English

Course begins: Unknown, subscribe for future session

Spatial computing, data mining, positioning, cartography, queries and databases – these are the main ingredients of this course. For those who are already confident with GIS, this is a great opportunity to become advanced. While you are expected to work quite a lot during this course, it is a great possibility to earn a certificate from University of Minnesota.

Course covers the following topics: statistical frameworks for processing geospatial data, key algorithms and data structures, spatial data mining, cartography and geovisualization. Beyond mentioned topics, it will also give insights on sources of spatial data, utilizing powerful open source software for mapping and spatial analysis, and frameworks for building location-based services.

Course link

 

10. Geodesign: Change Your World

Geodesign

Level: Introductory

Duration of the course: 5 weeks

Time needed: 3-5 hours a week

Language of instruction: English

Course begins: Unknown, subscribe for future session

Blending together innovation, collaboration, systems thinking and data visualisation can produce amazing results! Geodesign process already has a few decades of history, but this form of design still not known enough.

It can be useful for wide range of people, possibly coming from government, design business, engineering and nonprofit background.

Why? Answer is, that geodesign can help making better decisions.

How? Geodesign is a kind of design that utilises techniques and practices from the range of disciplines in order to find innovative and out-of-the-box solutions for complex land use challenges.

Everyone is welcome.

Course link

 

11. Urban Graphics 7: Urban Mapping in GIS

Level: Introductory

Duration of the course: 6 modules

Time needed: Self-paced

Language of instruction: English

Course begins: Anytime

This one is a very practical course from University College London!
Perfect for people with creative backgrounds: there is minimal input of technical theory, and the focus of the course is on learning through doing.

During this course, you will produce variety of maps, in different designs and from different initial data.

Amazing.

Course link

 

12. Introduction to Web-GIS

Level: Intermediate

Duration of the course: 7 modules

Time needed: Self-paced

Language of instruction: Russian

Course begins: Anytime

NextGIS company opened materials of corporate educational courses that they provide.
Course is available in Russian language. One can can get an insight into the world of web GIS: you will start from reviewing various platforms, and by the end of the course you will be able to develop your own browser map application.

Course link

 

13. Creating Digital Earth

Level: Introductory

Volume of the course: 7 modules, 39 lectures

Language of instruction: Russian

Course begins: when 3000 people will register for the class

Students will learn about cartography of Earth and space and its history.
What appeared first as primitive sketch of surroundings, then evolved into a paper map and later turned into digital products and services that we widely use today.
If you are novice in the area, but you wanted to learn more about cartography and its modern applications (including geographic information technologies) – this course is a right fit for you.
It is offered only in Russian language, though.

Course link

 

14. Measuring Earth and the Universe

Level: Introductory

Volume of the course: 7 modules, 41 lectures

Language of instruction: Russian

Course begins: when 3000 people will register for the class

Considering geodesy as a part of your future profession?

If you speak Russian and you’d like to get and insight into earth measurements and navigation, this is a good course to start with.

Lecturers will briefly introduce you to history and present of geodetic measurements, explain problems that geodesy encounters nowadays, and tell about Russian navigation system GLONASS.

Join to learn what an exciting detective story it was to find a definition of the meter!

Course link

 

There are plenty of opportunities to learn, and our list is just a fraction of what is out there! If you took part in a course or had heard of one that is not in this post, please share it in the comments below!

 

See also: Free online GIS courses and more, 2017 edition
__________________

Grapics by parkjisun from Noun Project is used in this post