Learning Resources
Get Started with Geospatial
Online resources and learning options for geospatial technology are endless. Here are some resources to help you get started:
What is Geospatial?
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- Geospatial Revolution videos from Penn State
- Gentle Introduction to GIS from the QGIS documentation
- What is GIS, and What is GIS Mapping, from a blog article by Michael Gigante
- What is GIS from the City of Fort Collins website
- GIS career videos – How is geospatial science being used in the professional world?
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Start Learning GIS!
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- Online book, Essentials of Geographic Information Systems
- Learning GIS modules/tutorials from NCAR
- GIS Basics web course from Esri. Free, but you need a login.
- GIS Fundamentals Learning Plan from Esri. A mix of 9 courses and tutorials, some for free with a login.
- Lecture materials and videos from a UMN GIS course.
- Introduction to GIS, an online textbook created by FRCC’s Geospatial Science Program Lead, Jennifer Muha.
- Geo University, an online platform for learning GIS and earth observation (fee/subscription, modular)
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ArcGIS: ArcGIS Pro, Online, and Desktop
Free GIS and ArcGIS lessons on learn.arcgis.com
Getting started with ArcGIS Pro | Get started with ArcGIS Pro PDF
Esri Learning Plan for ArcGIS Pro
This Univ. of Minnesota GIS course webpage links to YouTube videos demonstrating ArcGIS Pro
Working with ModelBuilder – Centroid workshop materials
Migrating to ArcGIS Pro from ArcMap?
ArcGIS Pro Resources handout from the Centroid’s ArcGIS Pro workshops
ArcGIS Pro terminology compared to ArcMap
Tutorials from the ArcGIS Pro help
Esri Learning Plan for migrating to ArcGIS Pro
Projections and Coordinate Systems
Map projections and coordinate systems are used to display the three-dimensional Earth on a flat surface and allow data layers to properly align. Understanding these concepts is critical for anyone in the geospatial sciences.
The True Size – Explore the true sizes and shapes of features on the globe in this interactive map
What are Map Projections? From gisgeography
Coordinate Reference Systems from the QGIS documentation
Map Projections in ArcGIS – A gallery and description of the 71 projections supported in ArcGIS.
Projections Workshop material from Centroid workshop, March 2020
Esri web course, Basics of Map Projections
Esri web course, Introduction to Coordinate Systems
Cartography
The art of making maps is centuries old, and has come a long way since that time. Use these resources below to learn about what goes into a great map, and how to get started making your own.
A how-to guide to map making from GISGeography
Cartography articles from the Esri blog
Take your maps to the next level with these great Esri styles, Basemaps, and tips from cartographer John Nelson
Colorbrewer: Color Advice for Maps
Hundreds of new fonts from dafont.com
Mobile Data Collection
Data collection in the field on a mobile device is integral to geospatial science. Several options exist, making use of tablets and smart devices, integrated and external GPS receivers, and a variety of platforms. Data collection can happen off the grid or while connected to wireless service, where data can be uploaded to a server instantaneously.
Some common mobile data collection apps include
Collector for ArcGIS | Get started
QField Mobile solution for QGIS | Get started
Fulcrum Form builder and data collection app | Get started
Working with Rasters
Raster data reference from the QGIS documentation
Esri web courses, free with your CSU login:
- Displaying raster data in ArcGIS
- Processing raster data in ArcGIS Pro
- Explore the Esri training page for dozens more online learning resources on raster data and analysis
Lecture recordings on Raster Analysis, from NR322, Spring 2020
Video demos for NR322 lab, Learning about rasters
Useful Spatial Tools
This list of Geospatial Tools from the Secondary Cities website provides a good overview and comparison of both open source and proprietary applications.
XTools: More than 90 tools and functions for spatial analysis, shape conversions and table management in ArcGIS