Modern GIS in Higher Education

From desktop GIS to Web GIS

Curriculum and lecture resources for educators and researchers

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Students need a curriculum that reflects GIS today

From Mylar to microservices, geographic information system (GIS) technology has changed a lot over its 50-year history, yet GIS education has not kept pace. There is a clear mismatch between the desktop-focused GIS curriculum, which is still the foundation of many GIS courses, and the Web GIS that students will encounter when looking for internships or jobs. Students who understand modern GIS concepts and can apply modern GIS technologies will be more competitive and have the skills they need to succeed in their careers.

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Modern GIS is Web GIS

Thousands of cities, agencies, nonprofits, and businesses depend on Web GIS. Moving the locus of GIS from the desktop to the web makes it mobile, automated, responsive, interconnected, cloud based, and configurable—these themes are an integral part of a modern GIS curriculum.

  • Data as services

    Discover, publish, share, and manage real-time, structured, or unstructured data—in spreadsheets, CSV files, or cloud storage—as web layers and services. Students can move beyond shapefiles to understand how GIS is powered by dynamic, interconnected services.

  • Application configuration

    Build configurable, responsive web and mobile applications. Move beyond the static maps that have been the heart of GIS for decades. Modern GIS is Web GIS, powered by lightweight apps that meet the needs of a digital-native audience.

  • Automation and scripting

    Publish data, automate workflows, provide notifications, update and synchronize data, and more. These skills have always been part of GIS, but they have become even more critical in the fast-paced data and information space.

  • Cloud infrastructure and architecture

    Teach students about web architecture and the Web GIS information model. Students need to know the underpinnings of modern GIS. It's critical to understand and troubleshoot issues in cloud computing platforms and databases to keep systems running.

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Esri Blog

Using maps and data to solve common challenges

Ten Across seeks increased resilience across US Interstate 10, as Arizona State University prepares the next generation to address future challenges.

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Getting started

Moving from a desktop-focused to a modern web-based GIS curriculum can seem daunting. It involves not only moving labs from ArcMap to ArcGIS Pro but also understanding the workflows and software that students will use when they enter the workforce. These resources can help.

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Core concepts of modern GIS

Discover tutorials, blogs, books, and more related to the core concepts of modern GIS.

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