Course Syllabus

May 16, 2016 – June 25, 2016

Instructors

• Amber Bloechle, UWF GIS Online Director

• Salina Randall, UWF GIS Online Coordinator

Visit the Meet the Mooc Team page to find out more about each of the Instructors and Contributors.

Location

Online via Canvas.net – To log into your Canvas account enter your Canvas-registered email address and associated password into the corresponding fields of the Canvas Log In page.  Please review the Canvas Student Orientation for further details about how to navigate the Course site.

Course Description

A six week online course taught through Canvas.net.  The purpose of this course is to introduce many practical uses of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Major components of the course include computer representation of geographic information, the construction of GIS databases, and spatial analysis with GIS.  A new module will open each Monday.  There are two types of modules presented each week: 1.) a lecture module, including videos, content, and a quiz, which is required for course completion and 2.) a lab module, which is only required for those seeking Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Weekly lab modules include a hands-on exercise, allowing students the opportunity to practice concepts and techniques described in the lecture materials using Esri ArcGIS Desktop software.

We expect students to participate in the course in one of the 3 following ways:

Exploration- students are welcome to view all course content without being required to complete assignments.

Earn Lecture Badges - badges are dealt by module for lecture (6 possible). Earn a few or earn them all.  Visit all pages within each lecture module and earn at least 70% on the Module quiz (2 attempts provided) in order to earn a single badge. Lecture Badges are awarded automatically. Students can expect to spend up to 2 hours per week reviewing materials and completing the quiz for lecture.

Earn Lab Badges - earn one lab badge or earn them all (6 possible). To attempt labs, students must download or have access to Esri's ArcGIS Desktop software version 10.x in order to complete the assignments. Students can expect to spend at least 3 hours per week completing lab assignments

To earn a lab badge:

• visit all pages within each lab module,
• complete the hands-on ArcGIS assignment following detailed instructions and making sure to note answers on the provided process summary template (on your personal computer),
• earn at least 70% on the lab process summary quiz (1 attempt provided) and
• earn at least 70% on required map files for 4 modules requiring a file upload.  Lab modules 1,2,5, and 6 require a file upload and must be graded by instructor.  See module for specifics.
• lab grading and badge awards will occur every Friday for the duration of the course. Lab badge awards are not automatic.

Earn 3.0 UWF Continuing Education Units - To earn CEUs, complete all course assignments (earn all 6 lecture badges), and complete all lab assignments (earn all 6 lab badges). More information regarding the CEU option and requirements can be found on the CEU Page. 

Prerequisite Knowledge

Student exploring the course and completing lecture assignments to earn badges do not require prerequisite knowledge or skills to participate.  However, students looking to complete lab modules should possess basic computer skills and a personal computer to install Esri’s ArcGIS software in order to complete the required hand-on GIS laboratory assignments. Detailed information regarding hardware and software requirements are provided on the CEU Page.

Course Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will:

• Recall the main components of a GIS
• Identify applications of GIS
• Define key GIS terms
• Recognize basic Earth measurement concepts and common geographic coordinate systems when given examples
• Identify basic map design elements
• Recall the uses of programming and customization in GIS
• Identify common applications of path and overlay analysis

Students completing the optional lab component will also:

• Use common ArcGIS software tools
• Use ArcGIS Help to answer common GIS questions
• Complete simple data processing tasks
• Create, edit, and transform spatial data
• Conduct basic spatial analysis in ArcGIS software
• Create a map incorporating basic cartographic design rules
• Gain hands-on experience using GIS to solve real world problems

Online Etiquette:

Netiquette is important when communicating with your instructor and your fellow students in an online course.  Understandably, learning how to use a new software from afar can be frustrating at times. In order to keep this course a respectful and fun place to learn, we ask that you please follow these basic guidelines: 

• Be clear.
• Use Standard English and do not abbreviate.
• Spell check, revise and edit your messages for clarity before sending them.
• Use appropriate subject lines that reflect the content of the message.  
• Be polite and careful. Demonstrate respect for the opinions of others when responding to your classmates.
• Do not use ALL UPPERCASE LETTERS!!!
• Typing in all capital letters is synonymous to yelling at someone. 
• Similarly, avoid sarcasm and irony when you mean to be serious, which can be misinterpreted by the reader.
• Disagree respectfully and with facts. 
• It can help to remember you are mad at the idea or concept, not the person. If what you have to say is personal, email your instructor directly vs. posting to the class discussion forum.
• Use “I” to communicate how you feel, what you think and what you want. Constructive criticism goes further than the critical variety.
• Stay calm.  Avoid firing off emails or posts while you are upset. Before hitting the “send” or “submit post” button, assess whether or not it is respectful and considerate of others.
• Be inclusive.
• If you have a question about class or assignments, post to the class discussion forum so all can benefit from the answer. Other classmates may have the same question.
• When you run into a problem or experience an error with assignments, provide as many details as possible regarding the problem.  Screen shots help!

More detailed information and rules of Netiquette can be found here.