Are you looking to boost your GIS skills but not sure where to start? As part of Simsi’s commitment to fostering professional growth and innovation, we’ve compiled a list of free resources that can help you enhance your GIS expertise. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced user, these training platforms, tools, data sources, and communities will provide you with valuable knowledge and support.
Training Resources
Esri MOOCs: Dive into the world of GIS with Esri’s free Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). These courses cover various GIS topics, from spatial analysis to cartography, and are designed by experts in the field.
Explore Esri MOOCsMIT OpenCourseWare: Access a wealth of knowledge with MIT’s open course materials on GIS. These courses offer comprehensive lectures, assignments, and exams, all free of charge.
Explore MIT OpenCourseWareCoursera GIS Specialization: This free specialization offers a series of courses that will take you from the basics of GIS to advanced spatial analysis techniques.
Explore Coursera GIS SpecializationOpen Textbooks from University of Minnesota: These free, open-access textbooks cover a variety of GIS topics and are perfect for self-study or as supplementary materials for more formal courses.
Explore Open TextbooksQGIS Tutorials: Learn how to use QGIS, a powerful open-source GIS software, through these easy-to-follow tutorials that cover a range of topics and skill levels.
Explore QGIS Tutorials
GIS Tools
MapWindow GIS: An open-source GIS solution that offers a variety of mapping and spatial analysis capabilities.
Explore MapWindow GISGRASS GIS: A powerful open-source GIS software suite used for geospatial data management and analysis, image processing, and more.
Explore GRASS GISGoogle Earth: A widely-used platform for exploring geographic data with high-resolution satellite imagery.
Explore Google EarthGeoServer: An open-source server for sharing geospatial data. It allows you to publish and edit data using open standards.
Explore GeoServerQGIS: A popular, free, and open-source GIS application that provides a user-friendly interface for viewing, editing, and analyzing geospatial data. Especially for groups who may not be able to afford an Esri subscription.
Explore QGISSimple GIS Software: Offers various free GIS resources and tools to help you manage and analyze your spatial data.
Explore Simple GIS SoftwareFelt: A simple and intuitive web-based GIS tool for creating and sharing maps.
Explore FeltDropchop: A free, open-source web-based tool for geospatial data processing.
Explore DropchopPyramid Shader: A tool for terrain cartography, ideal for creating visually stunning terrain maps, helping to tell your story to stakeholders who need visual reinforcement.
Explore Pyramid Shader
Data Sources
Free GIS Data by Dr. Roderick Wilson: A comprehensive and amazing list of free GIS data sources for various types of geospatial information.
Explore Free GIS Data
Community
r/gis on Reddit: Join the r/gis community on Reddit to connect with GIS enthusiasts, ask questions, share knowledge, and stay updated with the latest trends and tools in the GIS world.
Join the r/gis Community
These resources offer a great starting point for anyone looking to expand their GIS skills, especially for analysts who don’t have a background in GIS. By leveraging these free tools and communities, you can stay ahead in the ever-evolving field of geospatial analysis and drive action in your community.
Did we miss something? We’d love to hear from you! If you know of any additional resources that should be included in this list, please submit them to us.
Additionally, Simsi offers programs that provide discounted or free access to our software for short-term, projects – like the 30×30 program for law enforcement or our Gratis program for education. Contact us to learn more about how you can take advantage of these opportunities to further enhance your GIS capabilities.
Happy learning!
Best regards,
The Simsi Team