An Introduction to GIS

We have been approached about running some skills-expanding training courses on an introduction to, and using, GIS (Geographic Information System).

This is the first of the courses  - An Introduction to GIS where we will be covering the following topics.

Overview:

  • What is GIS?
  • Glossary of terms, acronyms, and abbreviations
  • Available software
    • Considerations of cost, installation, and maintenance
  • Installing a GIS package

Using GIS:

  • Considerations in setting up a project
    • What do you want as the end result?
    • What do you want to show in the final graphics?
    • What information do you need and what information do you want to portray?
  • Creating a project
  • Data sources - introduction to importing HER, ADS, DEFRA, and GPS system data
  • Layers – background map, field survey locations, finds locations, etc.
  • Import and exporting files
  • Iconography – using icons to emphasise features in your project
  • Exporting and presenting your results (including referencing and citing sources)

The course is a re-run of the online course run last year and will last for around 4 hours with short breaks and a Q&A session.
The course allows for group chat sessions to compare problems, solutions, ideas, etc.
Exemplar data will be provided.
You are encouraged to bring your own laptop. Handouts will be provided online for you to download (and print) though your own note-taking is suggested.

Some people (and machines) work faster than others and may have similar goals, so there will be the opportunity to ask quick questions of the trainer for a month.  Other resources (online videos, documentation and guidelines for you to download and print) will be made available and your tutor can be contacted to book one-to-one help sessions then you can work at your own pace.

 

The next course (Further work with GIS) will be for those that have worked with GIS and want to do more with it or have specific requirements.  It will include more on the use if data such as LiDAR and aerial photographs and editing data within the project.