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Skills for the Digital Earth MOOC begins SOON!

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03-26-2016 04:57 PM
JosephKerski
by Esri Notable Contributor
Esri Notable Contributor
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‎03-26-2016 04:57 PM

Folks:  The following MOOC is free, 4 weeks long, is built on the Geospatial Technology Competency Model, and offers a great set of hands-on activities, readings, and discussions.  I am on the instructional team and I wanted to let you know about it so that you can consider participating and tell others about it.

--Joseph Kerski

Elmhurst College: Skills for the Digital Earth

Course Description
Ever stop to think about how important location is when using your smart phone? This educational MOOC begins with an elementary explanation of how society uses location in a myriad of disciplines. Geography, or rather, "where?" is important to all of us from various perspectives.

Within this MOOC, participants will learn what location technologies are used for, how the discipline developed and learn by doing via a series of scaffolded practical exercises. Online spatial software will be employed for any device using a browser which takes users through exercises and real world examples. It is appropriate for those with no prior experience with geographic information systems (GIS) software all the way to advanced users.

In this course, participants will:

  • Understand basic geographic concepts and be exposed to the geospatial workforce.
  • Identify skills associated with the Geospatial Technology Competency Model (GTCM).
  • Use geospatial tools and technology and apply some business fundamentals using GIS.
  • Recognize employment opportunities in the geospatial industry.
  • Use and interpret spatial data and data sources.
  • Gain core geospatial abilities which are consistent with those of someone working in the geospatial industry.
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About the Author
I believe that spatial thinking can transform education and society through the application of Geographic Information Systems for instruction, research, administration, and policy. I hold 3 degrees in Geography, have served at NOAA, the US Census Bureau, and USGS as a cartographer and geographer, and teach a variety of F2F (Face to Face) (including T3G) and online courses. I have authored a variety of books and textbooks about the environment, STEM, GIS, and education. These include "Interpreting Our World", "Essentials of the Environment", "Tribal GIS", "The GIS Guide to Public Domain Data", "International Perspectives on Teaching and Learning with GIS In Secondary Education", "Spatial Mathematics" and others. I write for 2 blogs, 2 monthly podcasts, and a variety of journals, and have created over 5,000 videos on the Our Earth YouTube channel. Yet, as time passes, the more I realize my own limitations and that this is a lifelong learning endeavor and thus I actively seek mentors and collaborators.