From desktop GIS to Web GIS
Curriculum and lecture resources for educators and researchers
From Mylar to microservices, geographic information system (GIS) technology has changed a lot over its 50-year history, yet GIS education has not kept pace. There is a clear mismatch between the desktop-focused GIS curriculum, which is still the foundation of many GIS courses, and the Web GIS that students will encounter when looking for internships or jobs. Students who understand modern GIS concepts and can apply modern GIS technologies will be more competitive and have the skills they need to succeed in their careers.
Thousands of cities, agencies, nonprofits, and businesses depend on Web GIS. Moving the locus of GIS from the desktop to the web makes it mobile, automated, responsive, interconnected, cloud based, and configurable—these themes are an integral part of a modern GIS curriculum.
Moving from a desktop-focused to a modern web-based GIS curriculum can seem daunting. It involves not only moving labs from ArcMap to ArcGIS Pro but also understanding the workflows and software that students will use when they enter the workforce. These resources can help.
Modern GIS curriculum
Teaching
Esri Academy
Training
Esri Press
Books
Three university faculty members discuss their experiences of using modern GIS tools and methods in the classroom.
This recorded webinar will feature university faculty discussing their successes and challenges in moving their courses to a web GIS framework.
This webinar features educators discussing the ways that they met various challenges and updated their curricula and coursework. It highlights tutorials, resources, texts, and other collateral that you can use to modernize your program.
A faculty panel discusses recent changes in GIS technology, methods, and skills, and how they’ve incorporated those changes into their curriculum.
Looking for ideas? Want to connect with other educators from across the globe? Curious to hear about the latest in GIS technology? Esri staff focused on GIS in higher education as well as your peers would love to hear your questions and insights.
Join the conversation in the Esri Community space devoted to GIS in education. Post your questions, read blogs, and hear from your peers.
Join colleagues and the Esri education team on the first Tuesday of each month to learn about tools, data, materials, and teaching approaches.
The GeoTech Center hosts curricula, model courses, and a large community of educators in the geospatial field.
The American Association of Geographers (AAG) is a nonprofit scientific and educational society founded in 1904. It provides professional development, publications, and opportunities for collaborating with your peers.
Request to have an Esri Education team member reach out to assist in modernizing your program or curriculum.
