Updated April 2, 2025
So you heard about one of our upcoming free massive open online courses and you're interested in the topic. As someone who's always on the lookout for opportunities to grow their skills and develop professionally, you take the plunge and register for the course. You add the course start date to your calendar and even block off time each week to attend. Nice! All you need to do now is wait patiently for the course to open.
Or is it?
Taking an Esri MOOC is a low-risk strategy to explore a new topic, test-drive ArcGIS software, feed your curiosity, and live out a lifelong learning goal. Courses are free, Esri provides the software, and if it turns out that work/life responsibilities are eating up all your free time, you don't have to keep attending. You're in complete control of the experience.
And there are a few things you can do before the course opens to help ensure your experience is excellent. Such as...
Understand the course setup and ArcGIS accounts.
A MOOC includes multiple sections, each of which includes videos, discussions, quizzes, and one or more step-by-step exercises. Each week, a new section opens early Wednesday morning (Pacific time). Completing a section takes about 2-3 hours, though individual time will vary.
One Course, Two ArcGIS Accounts
- To access the course environment (watch the videos, participate in discussions, complete exercises, take quizzes, etc.), go to Esri Academy, sign in with the same ArcGIS account that you used to register for the course, then start or resume the course from your My Schedule page.
- To complete the course exercises, you use an ArcGIS account created by Esri for your use in the MOOC. This "ArcGIS exercise account" provides access to all the ArcGIS software and credits needed to complete each exercise, and it has a unique naming convention that includes the course abbreviation. Your exercise account username and password are provided to you inside the course.
At the beginning of each exercise, you'll open a second (incognito) browser window and sign into your ArcGIS exercise account. The exercise instructions will step you through the process—it's easy and soon will feel like second nature.
Key Takeaway: In a MOOC, you use two accounts: 1) your own ArcGIS public or organizational account to register and access the course environment on Esri Academy, and 2) an Esri-provided ArcGIS account for the exercises.
- Tip: If you're ever unable to resume a MOOC (i.e., access the course environment on Esri Academy) or if you see an "Esri access is not enabled" message when trying to access the software during an exercise, there's a strong chance you've accidentally signed in with the wrong account. Try signing out, then signing in with the correct account.
Understand the software setup.
As just mentioned, everyone who joins an Esri MOOC is given a temporary ArcGIS account that's been assigned the software licenses, permissions, and credits needed to complete the exercises. This account is for use inside the course and is active only while the course is open.
Two screens are better than one.
In course exercises, you follow the step-by-step instructions and work with ArcGIS software at the same time. You can certainly navigate between two windows on a single screen, but many MOOC participants find it easier to view the instructions on a separate monitor (or tablet/smartphone) and complete the ArcGIS project on their primary monitor. If you don't have the luxury of two screens, printing the instructions may be a good alternative.
Be on the lookout for the green check mark.
To earn a certificate of completion, you need to complete all content in the course (except for optional activities like stretch exercises). In the course table of contents, a green check mark will display after you complete each item.
If you don't see a green check mark next to an item, take action and complete it before the course closing date. Your hard work should be rewarded with a certificate, and we can't extend course access after the closing date.
Have fun.
Esri MOOCs are designed to introduce and extend your knowledge of the topic, and everyone learns better when they're engaged and having fun. Consider this: Any time you're in the course, thousands of other people are too. Someone may be watching the exact same video at the exact same time as you from a desk (or couch or coffee shop) on the other side of the international date line. A little mind-blowing.
Visit the discussion forum, share your thoughts, help fellow learners out by answering questions when you can, and enjoy the feeling of community that's a hallmark of Esri MOOCs.
