GIS Learning Resources

Drew Spatial Data Center Tutorials

Tutorials written by Drew University Spatial Data Center faculty and staff to help students, faculty, and staff learn GIS skills for Google Earth, ArcGIS 9.3, and GIS loaner equipment including GPS units and the ArcPad 8 software for GPS.

Spatial Data Center Tutorials Library

ESRI Tutorials

The Environmental Systems Research Institute is the developer of ArcGIS – one of the leading GIS software packages used today. Drew currently has a campus-wide license to use ArcGIS. The Resources below can help you get started using GIS technology in your courses and research

Getting Started with GIS

This is a web-based, self-paced tutorial program designed to help you learn to use ArcGIS software. Three modules included are:

• The Big Picture of GIS: Six questions about GIS; GIS maps
• Understanding Geographic Data: GIS data; Map meets database; Thematic mapping
• Analyzing Geographic Data: Query; Analysis; Bringing it all together

3 modules: 9 hours total learning time

Other ArcGIS Tutorials

Search the ESRI Training catalog to find instructor-paced and self-paced, online training modules that fit your needs. Some modules are free, but others carry a cost.

ArcLessons

A free resource consisting of instructor-created, classroom lessons utilizing GIS. Click on the All Titles link next to the search box to see a complete list of ArcLessons arranged by discipline.

Interactive Mapping

The resources listed below allow visitors to access, display, and interact with GIS data through a web browser. These interactive maps are excellent for use in the classroom.

Interactive International Maps

Globalis UN Millennium Goals Data

This interactive map displays data related to the United Nations’ Millennium Development goals. Categories for display include Climate, Economy, Education, Environment, Gender Equality, Health, Human Development, Population, Technology, and Water. Statistics for each category can be displayed using a variety of indicators.

Breathing Earth Simulation

Breathing Earth is a real-time simulation displays the CO2 emissions of every country in the world, as well as their birth and death rates.

Interactive U.S. Maps

Geodata.gov

A set of interactive maps with popular data sets including Climate, Coasts, Conservation, Environment, Federal Energy Activities, Federal Lands, Geology, Hazards, Human Geography, Hydrology, National Hydrography Dataset, The National Map, USGS Topographic maps, Weather, and Wildfires.

Nationalatlas.gov Dynamic Maps

The National Atlas offers a few dynamic maps including Zebra Mussel Distribution (invasive species), Volcanoes, Relief and Elevation, Vegetation Growth, West Nile Virus (2000), Wildlife Mortality (Avian Cholera) and a “Tapestry of Time and Terrain.”

USGS National Map Seamless Server

This interactive map allows users to interact with USGS data including Places, Layer Extents, Transportation, Boundaries, Hydrography, Orthoimagery, Land Cover and Elevation.

New York Times Interactive Maps

Each day, the New York Times adds informative, interactive data maps to its site. Check the NYT web site for interactive data maps for your area of interest. Below are some featured links from past issues.

Multimedia Resources for Japan’s Earthquake and Tsunami Events, March 25, 2011

Tracking the Oil Spill in the Gulf, August 2, 2010

Geography of a Recession, May 3, 2010.

Immigration Data 1880-2009, May 10, 2009.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Critical Habitat Mapper

The Critical Habitat Mapper is an online service for information regarding Threatened and Endangered Species final Critical Habitat designation across the United States. This resource takes a few moments to fully load all of the widgets.

Interactive New Jersey Maps

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

Interactive maps for New Jersey geology, mining, and ecology data down to the local level.

NJ State Business Site Evaluator

Businesses can use the Site Evaluator to evaluate potential business locations in New Jersey.