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Maps • Geospatial Centre

GIS Workshops

The following is a compilation of GIS-related workshops that have been offered by libraries across North America.  The purpose of this list is to provide librarians with workshop ideas for their own client clients.  If you have offered a workshop theme that isn't listed on this page, please contact Eva Dodsworth to have it added. 

All About Projections – from Idaho State University 

“Even with the advent of on-the-fly re-projection, geographic reference systems (datums, projections, and coordinates) are still the bane of many GIS professionals. This workshop first builds a foundation to help students understand projections and then de-mystify's the definition, projection, and re-projection process through hands-on learning and expert guidance. Included is a useful sleuthing guide to help you figure out unknown projections.” This workshop is held for 8 hours at Idaho State University.

Google Earth: More than Imagery – from Geospatial Centre

This workshop demonstrates how to turn Google Earth into a personalized map maker. The hands-on  workshop teaches participants how to make their own customized map by using features in Google Earth.  The workshop also compares Google Earth’s imagery to those available from the library and then demonstrates how other imagery can be incorporated into Google Earth’s platform. 

Mapping your Lists - from Geospatial Centre

This workshop demonstrates how to take a simple list (address book, routine chores, favourite restaurants) and map them using free online tools. Participants will learn how to geocode their list by finding latitude and longitude by address as well as spatially (looking at a map).  The results will be mapped on the web. 

Mapping your House - from Geospatial Centre

This workshop used a personal theme of locating your home using orthoimagery.  Historical air photos were brought out to demonstrate the benefits of using maps for finding historical information.  The library’s orthoimagery collection was covered as well as a demonstration of how different image resolutions appear. 

Creating Maps in Open Source and Freeware GIS programs - from Geospatial Centre

This workshop teaches participants the basic functions of various GIS programs.  Map making, GIS Data and data evaluation is taught during this 2-hour workshop. 

Online Mapping - from Geospatial Centre

This workshop introduced participants to the various online mapping websites.  5 different Canadian mapping sites were demonstrated and their advantages and disadvantages were discussed.  Connections to WMS was also demonstrated.  Participants were shown where to go to for downloadable data, tips on locating data and how to select and download different data formats. 

ArcGIS software Programs

ArcGIS is one of the most important mapping programs and most popular workshop theme, with several institutions offering a range of workshops from the basic introductions to the software, to using the more advanced features.  Many workshops have been found to offer:

This workshop provides the skills necessary for turning non-spatial data, such as street addresses and scanned maps, into explicitly spatial data for use in GIS analysis. Topics include: The TIGER Data Model, Collecting Useable Address Data, The Geocoding Process, Troubleshooting Problem Addresses, Using Offsets, Scanning and Georeferencing of Paper Maps, and Display of XY Data.

A workshop designed to introduce the participant to the use of consumer-grade GPS equipment for the collection of explicitly spatial data for analysis within a GIS framework.  Topics include: The Global Positioning Satellite System, Coordinate Systems, Minimizing Measurement Error, and Converting Tabular Data to Esri Shapefiles.

The Raster Data Model provided an effective means of characterizing spatially continuous phenomena, such as elevation, temperature, precipitation and other environmental and climatic characteristics.  This workshop provides a targeted introduction to the tools available in ArcGIS for creating, managing and analyzing data in raster form.  Topics include: Introduction to Spatial Analyst, Map Algebra and the Raster Calculator, Surface Analysis, and Combining Vector & Raster Data in Analysis.

This workshop will introduce the ArcGIS tools available for creating effective map layouts that are capable of clearly conveying the results of GIS analysis to an audience.  Topics include: Symbolization, Advanced Labeling, Annotation, Using Graphics in Layouts, Cartographic Elements, and Grids & Graticules.

 

Planning a GIS project – from the University of Guelph

This workshop is to give participants an overview of planning a GIS project. Topics which are covered are data acquisition and creation, data preparation for analysis, and metadata development using ArcMap and ArcCatalog.

Adding your own Data to GIS – - from Cornell University

This workshop focuses on adding attribute data, GPS data, Geocoding street addresses, and georeferencing a scanned image in ArcGIS. Participants complete tasks such as taking an Excel file of freshmen’s home states and portraying it on ArcMap, downloading data points from Garmin GPS and displaying it on a map, and taking a scanned paper map and putting it into ArcMap.

Professional Poster Making – from Idaho State University

In this workshop, students and staff can learn how to make a professional poster for presentations or conferences and meetings. Participants will learn how to import existing graphics (like a map from ArcGIS). They will also learn layering, colors, effects, and resolution. Participants use Corel’s Paint Shop Pro to make their poster look professional. This workshop includes hands on experience using large format printing, Raster Image Processing, and the basics of color models.

Wrangling Data into Maps – from Harvard University

This workshop focuses on the usability of GIS data and its applications in mapping. The participants will be taught how to search for and convert data from raw and text formats into a high-quality and useful format for mapping and analysis. This workshop uses the ArcGIS software and teaches the participants how to effectively use many of the basic and advanced features of the program.

GIS in Botany and Conservation Workshop - Northwestern University Library

This workshop is a two-day event that is part introduction to GIS workshop and part advanced-subject-specific. On the first day, the agenda includes a simple introduction to what GIS is, a very simple introduction to GIS data, datasets and metadata, and a basic mapping exercise. The second day focuses on advanced GIS data analysis, including interpolation, and then has the participants analyse data in depth, focusing on ecology and satellite datasets. Participants are shown how to acquire the GIS data that will assist them in their studies in the ecology, conservation and botanical disciplines.

Sleepin’ at the Bowl: Best Locations for New Hotels for Superbowl XLV – University of Texas

Participants learn how GIS can be used to analyze the number of hotels, rooms, and occupancy rates in Arlington. They then identify the best location for the construction of a new hotel to help handle the influx of football fans. Data sources include hotel data from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and commercial property data from the Tarrant Appraisal District.

Stuck in Traffic: Find the Road Segments with the Highest Pollution Levels - University of Texas

Participants learn how GIS can be used to statistically estimate pollution levels within the DFW metroplex and to then identify the street segments that traverse through the regions with the highest levels. Data sources include pollution measurements from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the Environmental Protection Agency, and various datasets from the North Central Texas Council of Governments.

Buy & Sell That House: Find Houses to Flip - University of Texas

Participants learn how GIS can be used to analyze the residential property market in Tarrant County to identify ideal investment houses to flip. Data sources include sample Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data from the North Texas Real Estate Information Systems (NTREIS) and foreclosure listings from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Public Transportation in Arlington: Plan the Route -  University of Texas

Participants learn how to use GIS to plan a public transportation (bus) route through Arlington, TX. "Arlington remains the largest metropolitan city in the country without a public transit system for the general population."

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers a variety of comprehensive and exciting workshops ranging from introductory Google and Arc applications to more powerful software with specific functionalities.  Beyond the workshops, GIS providers at MIT also allow for their materials (PowerPoint Presentations, documents, exercises, etc) to be accessible on their website.

Introduction to Google Maps

Participants receive a whirlwind tour of the Google Maps API and KML, learning the basics of each and some of the fun applications, like campus maps, interactive panoramas, and fantasy worlds.

Open Source and Free Mapping Tools

As a result the vast number of open source and free mapping tools, this workshop offers a brief look into the neogeographer's world of online mapping.

Site Selection - Making Spatial Decisions Using a GIS

Participants learn to select new project locations based on a variety of data types and perform analysis using tools provided in ArcGIS.

Using Elevation Data and Hydrographic Tools in a GIS

This workshop teaches users to read a topographic map and to use a digital elevation model to create contour lines and do hydrographic analysis.

Mapping and Using US Census Data

The US Census holds an enormous amount of demographic information dating back to 1790. New and interesting relationships can be observed when looking at census data on a map. Participants learn about what's in the US Census and the tools available for mapping it.

Model Builder

Participants learn to use model builder for automating complex processes in GIS. This tool is useful for increasing efficiency and documenting your work.  Participants create models to automate processes learned in the 'Elevation and Hydrographic Tools' and 'Site Selection' workshops.

Working with Satellite Imagery – Princeton University

Presentation includes information on how satellite imagery is collected, common sensors, typical applications using satellite images, and resources for collecting, managing and analyzing satellite images.

 

This list has been compiled by Eva Dodsworth and students from Western's 'GIS in Academic Libraries' course, Summer 2008. 

 


, Library Associate
May 25, 2012