Concept Modules and Demonstration Videos

Concept Modules

Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and Internet of Things - By: Ann Johnson

This Concept Module reviews the development of Artificial Intelligence and how it is used in applications and tools for geospatial technology. It also defines and reviews Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and the Internet of Things with real-world examples of how they are used.

Attribute Relationship - By: Wing Cheung

This Concept Module reviews the use of color in visualizations of geospatial analysis emphasizing that both art and science are needed when choosing appropriate colors. It will look at how we see colors and how the different audiences may view colors based on cultural differences. Details are also given on choosing colors for different types of classifications.

Color - By: Ann Johnson

Data Management - By: Ann Johnson

This Concept Module reviews important topics related to data management for geospatial technology. It includes review of data types, design and modeling of data management systems and compares simple project needs to those of enterprise-wide data management.

Data Visualization and MAUP - By: Ann Johnson

This Module reviews important cartographic concepts and topics when data is visualized in a map. This includes the map scale, projection, symbology, color and the boundary used to aggregate the data. This includes review of the Modifiable Areal Unit Problem and how a change in the boundary used for data can influence its interpretation.

Datum - By: Ann Johnson

This Concept Module reviews what a datum is, differences between vertical and horizontal datum, how the datum have been created over time and plans to combine vertical and horizontal datum in the future. It includes the importance of a Datum for accurately locating features and the problems that can occur if all data sets in an analysis are not using the same datum.

Ethics - By: Ann Johnson

This Concept Module provides an overview of Ethics with an emphasis on geospatial technology and its workforce. It includes Ethics codes and oaths and resources to Case Studies that can be used in educational programs related to Ethics.

Geocoding - By: Thomas Mueller

This Concept Module introduces students to Geocoding. It focuses on the geocoding parts, geocoding types, and errors.

Map Projections - By: Ann Johnson

This Concept Module reviews the need to create a flat map for features on a spherical Earth. Topics include why distortions occur in the process of going from a sphere to a flat map, different types of map projections and what distortions occur and provides a rule of thumb for picking a projection based on a project’s specific needs.

Mathematical and Geospatial Technology, Part I - By: Ann Johnson

This Module highlights how math relates to how computers work. It reviews basic mathematics principles such as number operations and computation. Definitions used in math are covered as well as Laws and decimal, binary and hexadecimal number systems.

Mathematical and Geospatial Technology, Part II - By: Ann Johnson

This Module reviews the relationship between math and how a computer works. It focuses on Number Systems (Decimal, Binary and hexadecimal) and how to convert from one to another. Boolean Logic is also briefly reviewed.

Metadata - By: Ann Johnson

This Concept Modules reviews why metadata, the data about geospatial data, is so important for use of data from different sources. Topics include different metadata standards (US and International) and what specific data attributes should be or must be included.

Programming in Geospatial Technology, Part I - By: Vincent A. DiNoto, Jr.

This Concept Module reviews the use of scripting / programming language in conjunction with geospatial technologies.

Programming in Geospatial Technology, Part II - By: Vincent A. DiNoto, Jr.

This Concept Module reviews the use of looping and decision making functions in a scripting / programming language in conjunction with geospatial technologies.

Remote Sensing - By: Ann Johnson

This module reviews important concepts in the use of remote sensed data including the electromagnetic spectrum, Passive and Active sensors, bands, composite images digital numbers, resolution (spatial, radiometric, spectral and temporal, and signature graphs. Also included is a brief discussion of classification methods.

Remote Sensing Imagery Resolution - By: Ann Johnson

This module reviews the different types of resolutions used in capture and display of remote-sensed imagery including Spatial, Spectral, Radiometric and Temporal resolutions.

Scale - By: Ann Johnson

This concept module discusses the term of scale when used in geospatial technology. It gives examples of the use of the terms Large Scale and Small Scale when referred to maps. It includes reasons why it is important to use data created at the appropriate scale and to document in metadata the scale of the data you create.

Statistics - Basic Topics, Part I - By: Ann Johnson

This Concept Module reviews the use of basic statistics for geospatial technology. Topics include descriptive and summary statistics, terms used for different statistical values (mean, median, and mode), standard deviation, variance, correlation coefficient and normal distribution.

Statistics - Basic Topics, Part II - By: Ann Johnson

Topology - By: Wing Cheung

This Concept Modules briefly reviews Map and Geodatabase topology that are important to accurately model the geometric relationships in maps and in a geodatabase and preserve spatial integrity. It includes different types of typology between features and how it can help find data errors and fix them.

US Census History and Geography - By: Thomas Mueller

This Census Concept Module provides a brief history and reasons why the United States Census is important. It also covers what data is collected, how it relates to geospatial data, the two types of surveys that are collected and the structure of the geographic units that data is a reference to.

Demonstration Videos

These short demonstration videos are designed to show students and educators how to perform a particular task in a step-by-step manner. The topics covered by the demonstration videos include managing geospatial data in ArcGIS Pro, collecting field data using real-time kinematic GPS, and implementing high accuracy workflows in drone data processing. To suggest topics for future demonstration videos, please contact the GeoTech Center team.