Suggested free online GIS courses in April

ESRI is currently promoting two MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) on GIS, spatial thinking and spatial analysis. Join in now, the courses are open until the end of April. Read the recommendation by Joseph Kerski, ESRI, below:

I would like to bring to your attention two upcoming MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses).  Both are free and focused on spatial thinking, spatial analysis, and include videos, discussions, readings, quizzes, and immersion in GIS tools and problem solving.

1)  Skills for the Digital Earth MOOC – through Elmhurst College – 3 through 30 April 2016:

http://www.elmhurst.edu/admission/school_for_professional_studies/239271581.html
Ever stop to think about how important location is when using your smart phone? This educational MOOC begins with an explanation of how society uses location in a myriad of disciplines. Geography, or rather, "where?" is important to all of us from various perspectives.  Within this MOOC, participants will learn what location technologies are used for, how the discipline developed and learn by doing via a series of scaffolded practical exercises. Online spatial software will be employed for any device using a browser which takes users through exercises and real world examples. It is appropriate for those with no prior experience with geographic information systems (GIS) software all the way to advanced users.  It is based on the Geospatial Technology Competency Model.

See one of the videos I made for the course to get a feel for it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9g0tsQwRAU

2)  The Location Advantage – through Esri – 16 March through 27 April 2016:

http://www.esri.com/mooc/location-advantage

Location analytics uses the locational component of business data to improve users’ understanding of their market, customers, and business processes. Organizations throughout the world use location analytics to make better decisions and gain a competitive advantage. This free, instructor-led MOOC explores the capabilities of Esri Business Analyst Online.  For you all in the education world, it would help you and your students investigate business-related patterns, relationships, and trends.  Also feel free to spread the word about it to your student and instructor colleagues in your school, community college, or university.

Joseph Kerski