There are many different ways to learn GIS and expand your skills. It can be a Free or Paid one. It’s important to know what you’re looking for in a training course, how much time you have, and what level of skill you currently have with the topic. In this article I will discuss, Best Way To Learn GIS on your own.
GIS is turning into a skill that is in high demand, and the more knowledge you have on the subject, the more opportunities you will be able to find. GIS is undoubtedly a great tool for many things including surveying, mapping, and geotagging.
How To Learn GIS The Right Way
The first thing you should know about GIS is that it can be a time consuming process. There are many steps involved, from downloading data and manually plotting points, to making maps and analyzing data.
Where Can I Learn GIS?
The first question every GIS student asks early on is: “Where do you learn GIS?”.
You Can Learn GIS In Two Ways:
- Learning GIS on your own.
- Opting for a GIS professional course.
Now I would like to share some of the resources I use in learning GIS.
How To Learn GIS On Your Own?
Studying GIS on your own can be tough. But I will provide you with a few ideas to help you get started.
In order to learn from scratch, the first thing you need to do is get a good understanding of the fundamentals of cartography and data visualization.Â
This includes learning about coordinate systems, projections, datums and data formats such as ESRI Shapefiles, GeoJSON and GML etc.
However before you start with that, it would be helpful if you could set up your own working environment where all these tools are readily available.
How To Learn GIS For Free Online?
One method of learning GIS is online courses. You can choose from different universities and professors teaching the course. There are also different types of courses – some teach basic gis skills for beginners while others are specific to certain industries such as healthcare or law enforcement.Â
There are many places that you can go to learn geographic information system. If you are a student, your university might offer an introduction course to GIS. If not, there are plenty of online courses that offer GIS courses for free.
Free Resources to Learn GIS Online [FREE GIS Courses]:
- The University of California (UC Davis) has a free Online Course : Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialization.
- Fundamentals of GIS.
- Geospatial and Environmental Analysis.
- Getting Started with CyberGIS by The University of Illinois.
- There is also The Pennsylvania State University offering a course : Maps and the Geospatial Revolution.
- GIS, Mapping, and Spatial Analysis Specialization course available for free from the University of Toronto.
- Introduction to GIS Mapping also by University of Toronto.
GIS Courses [PAID]:
If you want to enroll for a paid GIS course then Udemy is the best platform to learn gis online. You can follow below links to enhance your GIS skills:
Here you can find different courses related to GIS, Spatial Analysis, Python, Remote Sensing, Web Mapping, Cartography and other GIS Software.
Get complete details related to ESRI Technical Certificate. It helps you to gain confidence and stand out from the crowd, whether you are a GIS Professional or developer.
Learn GIS Using Videos
There are many ways to learn GIS. One way is by using videos available on YouTube.
Some of these videos are very detailed and provide information about different aspects of GIS.
There are also some video tutorials that teach viewers how to use the GIS software on their own computers or laptops.
Some of the YouTube Channels you can subscribe are :
Learning with GIS Books
GIS books are a new and innovative way to learn about geographic information systems. They can be used to explore and understand the GIS concepts in depth. The books contain templates, exercises, quizzes, and real-world simulations that teach skills like data management, spatial analysis, cartography, and more.
The best thing about GIS books is that they contain interactive tutorials that make learning stimulating as well as engaging. This makes it easier for learners of all levels of expertise in the field to understand them easily.
As a beginners in GIS Field, Some of the GIS Books you can refer are:
Free Textbooks:
Paid Books:
- GIS for Dummies.
- Thinking about GIS.
- Modeling Our World.
There are many gis books you can refer to learn GIS or to Start learning GIS. Books are a great teaching tool for spatial skills. You can learn how to use GIS in a fun and hands-on way.
What Is The Best Way To Learn GIS?
GIS is an acronym for Geographic Information Systems. The best way to learn GIS is to start by understanding the basics of what GIS means.
After that, there are many free resources available on the internet to learn how to use GIS software like ArcGIS, QGIS, and gvSIG.
It is recommended for a beginner to learn using a more robust computer program like ArcGIS first before trying out programs that are open source such as QGIS or Quantum GIS.
There are many Open Source GIS Software which you may use while learning GIS. But I will suggest you to learn QGIS, gvSIG, Grass GIS or SAGA GIS software.
Online Resources To Learn Open Source GIS Software:
GIS Events, Seminars & Conferences
There are many benefits to attending conferences that conferences can offer. Attending a conference is not just about networking, but also the chance to learn new skills and meet new people in your industry.
Here are some of the ways that conferences can benefit you:
- Networking with people in your own industry (GIS).
- Learning about useful GIS skills or technologies.
- Getting inspiration for a new project you’re working on.
- Meeting potential clients or hiring managers.
ESRI Events Details:
You can check below link for ESRI Events Details:
Other Events & Conferences:
Online Courses, Certifications, and On-Demand Training from Esri
There are many benefits to taking GIS training courses. They can help you advance your career in geospatial data science. They are also a great way of learning how to use the latest technology.
Another great way to learn GIS is by earning your bachelor degree in geography with a focus on GIS. You will gain valuable skills related to spatial thinking and mapping, computer programming and analysis that are essential for any work within this field.
You can also refer to ESRI Courses to learn GIS, below catalog contains Free, as well as Paid Courses from ESRI.
ESRI Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)
ESRI Catalog
Check out the complete ESRI Video Catalog.
Conclusion
There has never been a better time to learn about GIS. Whether you’re starting a new career, building your resume or wanting to do something in this field. Spatial technology is advancing at an increasingly rapid pace and because of this it’s never been more important for everyone to know what GIS stands for.
There are numerous ways to learn GIS from GIS Degree to ESRI Professional Certificate, to learning GIS for Free (Online). You can choose anyone or all.So, What is the best way to learn GIS? Comment below considering your ultimate goal of learning gis.