VCGI - Your source for Vermont GIS data, information, and events

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GIS Education and Training Resources

Training/Professional Development:

"Maps the Google Way" and "GIS on Pennies a Day Testdrive" offered by UNH Extension in VERMONT! (These workshops are currently FULL, but check back later in the spring for more UNH workshops in VT scheduled for June in Randolph and Burlington!)

VCGI's Introduction to GIS Training Course - Summer 2009
Map Mashup Mania one-hour presentation used at VASS 2009
GPS/GIS training materials used at VT Fest 2008 3-hour workshop: "Helping Students Find Themselves"
VT Spatial Data Partnership Roundtables (professional development)
Training Opportunities Offered by ESRI - ESRI offers inexpensive online classes, regional training centers, and onsite training at your office, as well as ESRI-authorized trainers found in many consulting firms.
Training Opportunities described at the GIS Lounge web page
TwiST: Teaching With Spatial Technologies - An annual 5-day workshop designed to teach K-14 teachers in the United States how to use Geographic Information Technology (GIT) in the classroom. The workshop takes place in central New York State
Geospatial Technologies Training Center (GTTC) at the University of New Hampshire - This program offers a wealth of great GIS and GPS related trainings that range in length from one day to 2 weeks! Check out their schedule if you are anywhere near the NH border as they do trainings all over the state.

Education/Degree Programs:

www.gis.com - GIS education ranges from degree and certificate programs to training in specific software. Formal (classroom) and online/distance programs exist all over the world, or you can choose to learn on your own time. This web page provides many links to options.
www.unigis.org - UNIGIS is a worldwide network of educational institutions which offer distance learning courses in GIS. Institutions within the UNIGIS network offer internationally recognised qualifications for GIS professionals and those seeking to enter the field.
Geospatial Technologies (GST) at UVM - Here you will find information on getting started using geospatial technologies, accessing software, finding data, selecting courses, obtaining technical help, learning about research projects, and more
Natural Resource GIS Mapping & Planning, B.S. at Lyndon State College - The Natural Resource GIS Mapping and Planning concentration includes classroom and extensive field experiences that provide a theoretical and practical understanding of planning and management techniques for land and water based recreation resources.
GIS at Middlebury College - The Geography Department manages four laboratories that support digital cartography, geographic information systems, and remote sensing. The dept. offers an introductory GIS class and an advanced GIS class, as well as opportunities to participate in research and other projects.

VCGI's Introduction to GIS Training Course - Summer 2010

Please note: You can download training materials used during the 2009 course below

VCGI will offer a 12-16 hour introductory GIS course for municipal officials, K-12 educators, and others. This year all classes will be offered over two consecutive days: 8 hours the first day and 4 to 8 hours the second day (there will be an optional 4-hour module on using GPS with GIS). We are still working on the specifics, but hope to offer the class in up to 4 locations around the state. Please check back in Early March for specifics and registration forms.

Topics that will be covered in the course are described below. The fee for the course is $60 (or $80 - see option mentionned above) and includes a 170-page training manual.

Course Content:
This course provides training designed to teach basic Geographic Information Systems (GIS) knowledge and skills. It is not required that the intended participant have any prior experience using GIS, but familiarity with using computers (especially basic file management) is important.

Using free software (ArcExplorer - Java Edition for Education (v2.2.3)) participants will explore mapping options and resources that they can continue to use when they return to their office or classroom. Exercises and supplemental information provide additional opportunities for exploration.

The successful completion of these exercises will give participants the skills necessary to:

Acquire, evaluate, and use digital geographic data in a GIS application
Modify the appearance of geographic data layers
Perform simple queries and analyses, and
Create and export maps and data.

Exercises use ArcExplorer - Java Edition for Education (v2.2.3) software from ESRI. ArcExplorer is a free, downloadable software package specifically designed to explore geographic data for both Windows-based and Macinstosh OS X-based computers. You can download the software here (it will be provided on CD if you participate in the course): www.esri.com/arcexplorer

In 2010, we will offer an additional 4-hour module, at the conclusion of the 12 hour class, focused on using hand-held GPS units to collect data to be used with a GIS.

2009 Materials

You can download the training Workbook materials used during the 2009 training below. If you would like a CD with all of the projects and data referred to in the workbook exercises, please email Leslie Pelch:

Individual sections and exercises (range from 75 KB to 2 MB)

VCGI - 58 South Main Street (Suite 2), Waterbury, VT 05676 (802-882-3000) (Fax 802-882-3001)