Introduction to GIS Using ArcGIS Class Resources

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This two-day course teaches the fundamental concepts that underlie GIS technology and geographic data. The following resources serve as an entry point for anyone working with ArcGIS. They provide opportunities to gain experience using GIS maps to visualize and explore real-world features; analyze data to answer questions and create new information; and share maps, data, and other resources, so they can be easily accessed throughout your organization.

• Resources
• Lesson 1 - Welcome to GIS
• Lesson 2 - GIS data
• Lesson 3 - Managing GIS data
• Lesson 4 - Exploring coordinate systems
• Lesson 5 - Mapping and visualization
• Lesson 6 - Spatial analysis
• Lesson 7 - Putting GIS to use
• Additional Instructor-Led Training and Web Courses

Resources

Lesson 1 - Welcome to GIS

• Web Courses

  • GIS Basics Web Course - Helps reinforce what you learned in class
  • ArcGIS Pro Basics - Free 50-minute web course introduces students to ArcGIS Pro
  • ArcGIS Online Basics - Free two-hour web course on ArcGIS Online

• Documentation

  • About ArcGIS Pro - Help documentation detailing the ArcGIS Pro interface
  • Terminology Guide - Help documentation detailing the ArcGIS Pro terminology
  • Introduction to ArcGIS Online - Documentation introducing the capabilities of ArcGIS Online

Lesson 2 - GIS data

• Web Courses

  • Getting Started with Data Management - GIS data is the foundation for any map, app, or analytical tool that you or your team creates. 

• Documentation

  • Basemaps in ArcGIS Pro - Basemaps serve as a reference map on which you overlay data from layers and visualize geographic information. 
  •  Switch the basemap - A basemap provides a background of geographic context for the content in a scene.
  • Feature classes - The four most commonly used feature classes are points, lines, polygons, and annotation.
  • Searching for geographic data in ArcGIS
• • ArcGIS Online - Use the Content page to access, organize, browse, search, and work with content on the website.
  • ArcGIS Pro - You can search your active portal for content to add to a project. 
  • Living Atlas of the World - The foremost collection of geographic information form around the world.

Lesson 3 - Managing GIS data

• Web Courses

  • Integrating Data in ArcGIS Pro - In this 1.25-hour web course you will learn about some common types of data used for GIS mapping and analysis, and practice adding data to a file geodatabase to support a planned project.
  • Map layer basics - In this 2 hour web course, adjust map layer display properties.
  • Sharing Maps and Layers with ArcGIS Pro - In this course, you will learn best practices for sharing your projects, maps, layers, tools, and other components that are important to GIS professionals.
  • Creating and Sharing GIS Content Using ArcGIS Online - In this course, you will learn the steps to manage your data, publish it as web layers, create web maps and apps, and share this content with other members of your organization.

• Documentation

  • Introduction to the geodatabase - At its most basic level, an ArcGIS geodatabase is a collection of geographic datasets of various types held in a common file system folder.
  • Web Layers - Layers are logical collections of geographic data that are used to create web maps and web scenes.
  • Share a layer package - A layer package is a file that contains both the layer properties and the dataset referenced by the layer.
  • Share a map package - A map package is a file that contains a map (.mapx) and the data referenced by its layers.
  • Share a project package - A project package is a file that contains all maps and the data referenced by its layers, as well as folder connections, toolboxes, geoprocessing history, and attachments.
  • Share a web map - A web map is an interactive display of geographic information you can use to tell stories and answer questions.
  • Share items in ArcGIS Online - you have the option of leaving them unshared or, depending on your sharing privileges and the security settings of your organization, sharing items with groups, your organization, or everyone.

Lesson 4 - Exploring coordinate systems

Web Courses

• Basics of Geographic Coordinate Systems – How do you accurately represent the location of features on the earth's surface on paper or a computer screen? Find out in this 1.25-hour web

Documentation

• Coordinate systems, projections, and transformations – Describes spatial reference
• Geographic vs Projected Coordinate Systems - What is the difference between a geographic coordinate system (GCS) and a projected coordinate system (PCS) anyways?
• Transformation warning - What does it mean and what should I do?

Lesson 5 - Mapping and visualization

Web Courses

• Getting Started with Mapping and Visualization - You will learn how to identify and choose the best information product for your audience and needs.
• Map Layer Basics -  You can configure layers to convey information and provide context for the audience, and you can optimize layers for viewing at various scales.
• Symbolizing Map Layers - This course teaches how to best symbolize your map data so that your audience gets the information that it needs.
• Labeling Map Features - This course will show you how to add and customize labels for your maps.
• Creating a Map Layout – This 1.25-hour web course will show you how to use various layout elements to design an effective map layout

Documentation

• Create map with compelling data visualizations using ArcGIS Online – Use smart mapping to guide the data visualization in your map in this 5-part Learn ArcGIS Path
• Mapping and visualization in ArcGIS Pro – Create compelling data visualizations and beautiful maps in ArcGIS Pro in this 5-part Learn ArcGIS Path
• 3D in ArcGIS Pro – Explore, analyze and symbolize your data in 3D using ArcGIS Pro in this 5-part Learn ArcGIS Path
• Layouts in ArcGIS Pro - A page layout is a collection of map elements organized on a virtual page designed for map printing.

Lesson 6 - Spatial analysis

Web Course

• Getting Started with Spatial Analysis – In just over an hour, you will explore the six categories of spatial analysis and how to apply the spatial analysis workflow to help you answer geographic questions related to your own work
• Getting Started with Geoprocessing - Geoprocessing is a framework for processing geographic and related data.
• Suitability Modeling: Introduction - Suitability modeling enables you to find where something, such as a business or habitat, should be located.

Documentation

• Perform analysis in Map Viewer (ArcGIS Online) - When you look at a map, you may start turning that map into information by finding patterns, assessing trends, or making decisions. This process is called spatial analysis.
• Use geoprocessing tools (ArcGIS Pro) - Geoprocessing tools are essential for spatial analysis, but they have other uses as well. Spatial analysis includes activities such as comparing places, determining how places are related, finding best locations and paths, detecting patterns, and making predictions.
• Make a geoprocessing model - A model is a visual representation of a workflow in which several geoprocessing tools are run in sequence. 
• Share a web map (ArcGIS Pro) - In ArcGIS Pro, you can share maps and layers to your ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise portal. 

Lesson 7 - Putting GIS to use

Web Courses

• Sharing Maps and Layers with ArcGIS Pro – Learn how to share your GIS data, maps, layers, and entire projects with your colleagues and other users in this 3.5-hour web course.

Documentation

• The Geographic Approach - The geographic approach is a method of thinking and problem-solving that integrates and organizes all relevant information in the crucial context of location. 
• Share and collaborate using ArcGIS Online - Share interactive maps and other content with groups, your organization, or the public. Build web apps to share your maps and scenes and collaborate with others.

Additional Instructor-Led Training and Web Courses

• ArcGIS Pro: Essential Workflows  - This instructor-led course introduces techniques and general best practices to map, manage, analyze, and share GIS data and maps using ArcGIS Pro.
• ArcGIS Online Essential Workflows - This  instructor-led course introduces the creation web maps, apps, and other authoritative content that may be available through your ArcGIS Online organizational site.