Course Descriptions
All ArcGIS courses can be customized to fit your needs!
New! All clients,
including federal and state can request that Kessler GIS provide
temporary training computers with or without software.
New! USDA Forest
Service clients can request assistance in paperwork and billing for
on-site training. Just ask!
Purchase an on-site class: you supply
training room, computers, licenses, and students. Pricing for a
12-person class can be very low!
Greater discounts possible when purchasing multiple sessions for a large
organization! Contact Kessler GIS
directly and ask!
Kessler GIS Custom Classes
v9.2 & v9.3
Basic
ArcGIS Desktop
for Natural Resources (3 days)
v9.3 to be completed by 9/08
Powering Your GeoDatabase and ModelBuilder For Management/Analysis -- v9.2
(2 days)
v9.3 to be completed by 9/08
ESRI Authorized Classes v9.3
ArcGIS Desktop II (3 days)
ArcGIS Desktop III
(2 days)
ESRI Authorized Classes v9.2
Introduction to ArcGIS I
(2 days)
Introduction to ArcGIS II
(3 days)
Kessler GIS Custom Classes
(under development)
ArcGIS Spatial Analyst (1.5 days)
1
1 In development. Go to the individual course
listing for projected completion date. If you wish to have the course
taught before that date, contracting a class will move that class
priority up.
Discounts
Some discounts are
available when signing up for two or more classes at a time or for
client-site classes where the client sets up the computers and training
facility and takes care of filling the class. Contact Mr. Kessler for
discounts.
Purchase an on-site class: you supply
training room, computers, licenses, and students. Pricing for a
12-person class can be very low!
Greater discounts possible when purchasing multiple sessions for a large
organization! Contact
Kessler GIS directly and ask!
Basic ArcGIS Desktop
for
USDA Forest Service Users
(updated fall 2005)
Three days
Author: Bruce Kessler
ArcGIS Version: 9.0 and 9.1
Printed Materials:
Color and larger fonts for both lecture
and exercise
Overview
This course covers the fundamental GIS concepts that Forest
Service users have needed for years. With the assistance of many Forest
Service GIS professionals this course content was defined, reviewed,
prototyped and finalized. Students learn how to query a GIS database,
manipulate tabular data, edit spatial and attribute data, and present
data clearly and efficiently using maps and charts. Participants learn
how to use ArcMap™, ArcCatalog™, and ArcToolbox™ and explore how these
applications work together to provide a complete GIS software solution.
This class uses Forest Service data exclusively and focuses on daily
needs expressed most often by Forest Service professionals.
Audience
This course is for Forest Service users who are new to
ArcGIS and new to geographic information systems in general. It also is
a very appropriate course for users transitioning from ArcView®
3.x and Workstation ArcInfo. For these users, the beginning chapter will
be some review when covering topics such as “What is GIS?”
Prerequisites and recommendations
Participants should know how to use MS Windows® software.
Goals
·
What is GIS?
·
Display feature and tabular data
·
Work with georeferenced spatial data
·
Query features using logical expressions
·
Find features using spatial relationships
·
Edit spatial and attribute data
·
Associate tables with joins
·
Produce maps, reports, and graphs
Topics covered
·
What is GIS? A brief discussion
·
What can GIS do? Short examples
·
What is a Map? Defining a map -- one of the main goals of GIS
actions
·
ArcGIS overview: Capabilities and applications; Interacting with
the interface; Basic display
·
Spatial data concepts: Representing spatial data and descriptive
information; Different formats
·
Using the Help system: Both ArcGIS and EUSC
·
Managing your data: Using ArcCatalog and Metadata; Editing feature
and attribute data
·
ArcGIS data model: GeoDatabases; Shapefiles; Coverages; Feature
types; Attributes
·
Spatial coordinate systems and map projections: Georeferencing
data; What map projections are; How ArcMap works with map projections
·
Analyzing data: Selecting and identifying features; Creating
reports and graphs; Buffers; Overlays
·
Tables: Managing; Quick intro on using Excel and Oracle tables;
Joining
·
Map displays and output: Creating; Symbolizing; Scaling; Adding map
elements; Plotting tips
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Powering Your GeoDatabase and ModelBuilder
For Management/Analysis
(Version 9.2 updated summer 2007)
Two days
Author: Bruce Kessler
ArcGIS Version: 9.2
Printed Materials:
Color and larger
fonts for both lecture and exercise
Overview
This course came about
through combining two earlier developed courses: Skills for the
GeoDatabase and GeoProcessing and the ModelBuilder. The techniques were
combined and ModelBuilder is now used to help implement a GeoDatabase.
Are
you still fuzzy on GeoDatabase and topology? This class gets you into
the center mass of GeoDatabases in version 9.2 using an
uncluttered and systematic approach -- a powerful building of simple and
powerful GeoDatabases under a File GeoDatabase (excluding enterprise
GeoDatabases).
This course starts with a quick review of objects within a
GeoDatabase and the different types of GeoDatabases,
then moves deeper.
Many users need a strong basis in using the GeoDatabase for daily
activities that don't require elaborate designs. Students learn how work with every day topology
applications through creation of
rules, investigation of specific changes in the data due to validation, work with editing tasks for management issues such as
coincidence, and learn how to manage some confusing topology errors. This class uses
natural resources and urban data so concepts can be easily be
transferred to other types of applications.
While working with GeoDatabases, students may
ask “How can I repeat my work, as well as document it?”
Using ModelBuilder in conjunction with the tools found in ArcToolbox
powerfully enhances your GeoDatabase building/maintenance procedures.
The focus of this class is to learn the tools: creating, editing, and
documenting models.
Students will leave this class with the confidence for
building basic and sound GeoDatabases as well as confidence in
constructing their own models from scratch.
Audience
This course is for users who have basic
skills in using ArcGIS and need strong experience and confidence to move into
GeoDatabases, GeoProcessing, and using the ModelBuilder.
Prerequisites and recommendations
Participants should be comfortable using ArcGIS,
particularly ArcCatalog. Users should have some experience in editing
procedures and be self-motivated to work quickly and with focus. This is
a very full class.
Goals
· Solid
knowledge growth in understanding
GeoDatabases
(continuing learning from any basic ArcGIS course)
·
Understand topology properties (rules)
·
Be introduced to using a number of common topologies, know enough
to learn more topologies
·
Construct multiple topologies
·
Work with coincident features: lines, points, and polygons
·
Edit features under topology rules and manage errors and exceptions
Topics covered
·
When do you start using a GeoDatabase?
·
Why / why not use a GeoDatabase?
·
GeoDatabase Basics
·
Before using a GeoDatabase
·
Managing your GDB
·
Populating the GeoDatabase and Exporting from the GeoDatabase
·
Import
o
Coverage Regions
o
Linked Coverage Annotation
o
Effects on imported fields
·
Load from ArcCatalog
o
Dropping attributes upon load
·
Add data through editing
·
Export to XML
·
What is topology
·
Why use topology
·
Properties of topology
·
How are topologies built?
·
Topology restrictions
·
Creating topology
·
Topology Rules Review
·
Editing Features Controlled by Topologic Rules
·
Editing coincident lines
·
Checking errors
·
Fixing errors in conjunction with the error inspector
·
Rule exceptions
·
Understand Geoprocessing methods
·
Understand the commonly used tools and procedures for Geoprocessing
·
Build skills using ArcToolbox
·
Understand the ModelBuilder and how it works with ArcToolbox
·
Working with model elements
·
Create branching models
·
Batch and loop
·
Create metadata and help documentation for models
Some Specific Exercise Situations
·
Working with File GeoDatabase
·
Import and create schema for roads, wetlands, parcels, zone
·
Import townships and sections at the same time
·
Import coverage annotation
·
Import imagery
·
Importing and exporting data via XML
·
Evaluating history
·
Data changes due to increased cluster values
·
Using the Must Cover Each Other rule
·
Reverse the Must Cover Each Other rule
·
Rules controlling horizontal control markers and section corners
·
Rules for overlapping, intersected, dangling, and pseudo node lines
·
Editing and managing errors: Must Not Overlap; Must Not Have Gaps; Must
Cover Each Other; Must Be Covered By Boundary Of; Must Not Have Dangles;
Must Not Overlap
·
Review and work with all model elements
·
Validation, parameters, intermediate data, batching, looping
·
Branching models
Back to Top
Basic ArcGIS
Desktop for Natural Resources
Three days
Author: Bruce Kessler
ArcGIS Version: 9.2 and 9.3
Printed Materials:
Color and larger
fonts for both lecture and exercise
Overview
This course covers the fundamental GIS concepts that
Natural Resource users have needed for years. With the assistance of
many Forest Service and industry GIS professionals this course content
was defined, reviewed, prototyped and finalized. Students learn how to
query a GIS database, manipulate tabular data, edit spatial and
attribute data, and present data clearly and efficiently using maps and
charts. Participants learn how to use ArcMap™, ArcCatalog™, and
ArcToolbox™ and explore how these applications work together to provide
a complete GIS software solution. This class uses Forest Service data
and focuses on daily needs expressed by natural resource managers.
Audience
This course is for any natural resource user who is new to
ArcGIS and new to geographic information systems in general. It also is
a very appropriate course for users transitioning from ArcView®
3.x and Workstation ArcInfo. For these users, the beginning chapter will
be some review when covering topics such as “What is GIS?”
Prerequisites and recommendations
Participants should know how to use windowing software.
Goals
·
What is GIS?
·
Display feature and tabular data
·
Work with georeferenced spatial data
·
Query features using logical expressions
·
Find features using spatial relationships
·
Edit spatial and attribute data
·
Associate tables with joins
·
Produce maps, reports, and graphs
Topics covered
·
What is GIS? A brief discussion
·
What can GIS do? Short examples
·
What is a Map? Defining a map -- one of the main goals of GIS
actions
·
ArcGIS overview: Capabilities and applications; Interacting with
the interface; Basic display
·
Spatial data concepts: Representing spatial data and descriptive
information; Different formats
·
Using the Help system:
·
Managing your data: Using ArcCatalog and Metadata; Editing feature
and attribute data
·
ArcGIS data model: GeoDatabases; Shapefiles; Coverages; Feature
types; Attributes
·
Spatial coordinate systems and map projections: Georeferencing
data; What map projections are; How ArcMap works with map projections
·
Analyzing data: Selecting and identifying features; Creating
reports and graphs; Buffers; Overlays
·
Tables: Managing; Quick intro on using Excel and Oracle tables;
Joining
·
Map displays and output: Creating; Symbolizing; Scaling; Adding map
elements; Plotting tips
Back to Top
Introduction to ArcGIS I –
an
ESRI®-authorized course
Two days
Author: ESRI Staff
ArcGIS Version: 9.0 and 9.1 and 9.2
Printed Materials:
Black and white
for both lecture and exercise
Overview
Audience
This course is for those who are new to ArcGIS and new to
geographic information systems in general.
Prerequisites and recommendations
Participants should know how to use Windows®-based software.
This course provides the fundamental ArcGIS knowledge and experience
needed to enroll in Introduction to ArcGIS II.
Goals
 | ArcGIS overview:
Capabilities and applications; Interacting with the
interface; Basic display. |
| Spatial data
concepts: Representing spatial data and descriptive
information. |
| ArcGIS data model:
Geodatabases; Shapefiles; Coverages; Feature types;
Attributes. |
| GIS software:
Components; Functions; Applications. |
| Spatial coordinate
systems and map projections: Georeferencing data;
What map projections are; How ArcMap works with map
projections. |
| Querying data:
Selecting and identifying features; Creating reports
and graphs. |
| Map displays:
Creating; Symbolizing; Scaling; Adding map elements. |
For
more detail, go to
http://training.esri.com/gateway/index.cfm?fa=catalog.courseDetail&CourseID=50006053_9.X
Back to Top
Introduction to ArcGIS II –
an
ESRI®-authorized course
Three days
Author: ESRI Staff
ArcGIS Version: 9.0 and 9.1 and 9.2
Printed Materials:
Black and white
for both lecture and exercise
Overview
ArcGIS software offers many
tools for visualizing, creating, managing, and analyzing
geographic data. In this course, students extend their
ArcGIS skills in the areas of cartography, data automation
and editing, and geoprocessing and spatial analysis.
Students work with advanced cartographic tools as they learn
how to efficiently create effective maps. A major focus of
the course is the geodatabase. Students learn database
design considerations and techniques for creating,
maintaining, and managing GIS data stored in a geodatabase.
The ArcGIS geoprocessing tools for spatial analysis are also
covered and, in a course project, students apply many of
their newly acquired skills.
Those completing this course
will be able to
| Classify and symbolize
data. |
| Create custom symbols,
labels, and annotation. |
| Work with map
templates. |
| Geocode addresses.
|
| List database design
considerations. |
| Create and edit
metadata. |
| Create a geodatabase
and add data to it. |
| Set and use
geodatabase validation rules. |
| Create and edit
features using a variety of ArcMap editing tools.
|
| Describe components of
a model. |
| Perform geoprocessing
operations using tools, the Command Line window, and
ModelBuilder. |
Audience
This course is designed for those with fundamental
knowledge of ArcGIS and want to work with the more advanced features of
ArcGIS.
Prerequisites and recommendations
This course is for those who have completed Introduction
to ArcGIS I If the prerequisite course is not completed, a
participant should have comparable experience with ArcGIS before taking
this course. The course also provides participants with the fundamental
ArcGIS knowledge and experience needed to enroll in Building
Geodatabases I.
Goals
| Spatial analysis
and data management: Buffers; Spatial overlays;
Extracting features for analysis; Analytical methods
and tools. |
| Geocoding and
display of locations from tabular data: Address
geocoding; Display of points from x,y coordinates.
|
| Editing: Tools for
creating and editing spatial data; Editing attribute
data; Spatial adjustment. |
| Data automation:
Data sources; Digitizing; Data conversion.
|
| Project
management: Database organization; File and
directory naming conventions; Creating and using
metadata. |
| Geoprocessing:
Introduction to the Command Line window and the
ModelBuilder interface. |
| Cartography:
Advanced symbology and labeling. |
For
more detail, go to
http://training.esri.com/gateway/index.cfm?fa=catalog.courseDetail&CourseID=50006054_9.X
Back to Top
ArcGIS Desktop II: Tools and Functionality
ESRI®-authorized course
Three days
Author: ESRI Staff
ArcGIS Version: 9.3
Printed Materials:
Black and white
for both lecture and exercise
This
course is part of the
ArcGIS Desktop 9.3 Foundational Training
Curriculum. The ArcGIS 9.2 version
of this course was titled Introduction
to ArcGIS I.
ArcGIS
Desktop software is an integrated system
that includes all the tools needed to
get the most out of a GIS. This course
teaches the range of functionality
available in the software and the
essential tools for visualizing,
creating, managing, and analyzing
geographic data. The hands-on course
exercises emphasize practice with ArcMap
and ArcCatalog (the primary applications
included with ArcGIS Desktop software)
to perform common GIS tasks and
workflows. The tools for creating and
managing geographic data, displaying
data on maps in different ways, and
combining and analyzing data to discover
patterns and relationships are
highlighted, and you learn how ArcGIS
Desktop provides a complete GIS software
solution. By the end of the course, you
will be prepared to start working with
the software on your own.
This
course is designed for those with an
education in or workplace experience
with GIS but no ArcGIS software
experience. This course assumes
knowledge of basic GIS concepts.
Those who
complete this course will be able to
|
List common GIS tasks and identify
which ArcGIS Desktop application is
used for each task. |
|
Understand what the geodatabase
offers for GIS data storage.
|
|
Create and edit geodatabase
features. |
|
Control the appearance and display
of data layers in ArcMap.
|
|
Classify and symbolize map data.
|
|
Label map features. |
|
Change the coordinate system and map
projection used to display a
dataset. |
|
Access feature information in tables
and control table display
properties. |
|
Query and analyze GIS data.
|
|
Create presentation-quality maps and
graphs. |
|
Investigating geographic data: How
geographic data is stored; Vector
and raster data; Geodatabase basics
and advantages; Shapefiles;
Coverages; CAD data; Managing data
in ArcCatalog; Displaying data in
ArcMap; ArcMap basics; Data and
layers. |
|
Managing map layers: Zooming to
layers; Bookmarks; Display windows;
Scale ranges; Group layers;
Selection layers; Layer files;
Creating hyperlinks. |
|
Symbolizing categorical data:
Symbology; Choosing symbology; Types
of symbols (marker, line, fill);
Creating symbols. |
|
Symbolizing quantitative data:
Symbology options (graduated colors,
graduated symbols, proportional
symbols, dot density, charts);
Classification methods (Natural
Breaks, Equal Interval, Quantile,
Manual); Excluding data from a
classification; Rendering raster
data. |
|
Labeling map features: Label
placement for different feature
types (points, lines, polygons);
Label symbology; Controlling label
display using scale range and SQL
query; Label classes; Label
expressions; Label ranks and
weights; What is annotation?;
Geodatabase annotation; Map
annotation. |
|
Using coordinate systems and map
projections: What is a coordinate
system?; Geographic coordinate
systems; Datums; Projected
coordinate systems; Map projections;
Feature classes and coordinate
systems; Data frames and coordinate
systems; Geographic transformations;
Working with an unknown coordinate
system; Projecting data; Defining a
projection. |
|
Making a map layout: Working in
layout view; Tools for arranging map
elements; Data frame properties for
layouts; Adding legends, scale bars,
and other map elements; Exporting
maps; Working with map templates.
|
|
Managing tables: Table structure;
Layer attribute tables; Nonspatial
tables; Getting information from
tables; Field properties; Table
appearance; Creating graphs and
reports; Connecting tables using
joins and relates; Cardinality.
|
|
Editing features and attributes:
Reasons to edit data; Working with
the Editor toolbar; Edit sketches;
Common editing tools; Edit tasks;
Snapping to features while editing;
Editing attributes; Calculating
values for geometry fields; Working
with coincident geometry in a map
topology; Typical editing workflow.
|
|
Creating geodatabases and feature
classes: Types of geodatabases;
Geodatabase organization; Feature
class organization; Feature class
properties and attributes; Metadata;
Creating, viewing, and editing
metadata; Importing and exporting
metadata; Creating features in a new
feature class. |
|
Getting locations from attributes:
Adding x,y coordinate data; Finding
places and addresses; Finding routes
and nearby places; Geocoding;
Geocoding components (address table,
address locator, reference data);
Address matching overview; Geocoding
workflow; Reference data sources.
|
|
Solving spatial problems with query
and analysis: GIS analysis basics;
Typical analysis workflow; Common
analysis operations (attribute and
spatial queries, clipping data from
layers, buffering features,
overlaying features); Overview of
geoprocessing; Analysis results.
|
|
Customizing ArcGIS Desktop: Why
customize the interface?; Customize
dialog box; Locating commands;
Adding new toolbars, commands, and
menus; Saving customizations; Saving
to a template; Storing templates. |
Back to Top
ArcGIS Desktop III: GIS Workflows and Analysis
ESRI®-authorized course
Two days
Author: ESRI Staff
ArcGIS Version: 9.3
Printed Materials:
Black and white
for both lecture and exercise
This course is part of
the
ArcGIS Desktop 9.3 Foundational Training Curriculum.
The ArcGIS 9.2 version of this course was titled
Introduction to ArcGIS II.
Understanding how and when
to apply ArcGIS tools and functions is the key to
creating an efficient GIS workflow. Building on the
skills and knowledge taught in ArcGIS Desktop II:
Tools and Functionality, this course shows how to
apply ArcGIS tools in a workflow context with a focus on
working with data stored in a geodatabase and performing
geoprocessing and analysis. In the course exercises, you
organize and edit data stored in a geodatabase, prepare
data for analysis, create and edit geoprocessing models
using ModelBuilder, and work through a challenging
analysis project.
This course is designed
for experienced ArcGIS users who want to learn more
about the ArcGIS tools for creating and editing data and
GIS analysis.
Those completing this
course will be able to
| Add data from
different sources to a geodatabase. |
| Work with subtypes
to edit data. |
| Edit and validate
feature geometry and attributes using geodatabase
topology. |
| Run analysis tools
using dialog boxes and models. |
| Build a complex
model using ModelBuilder. |
| Getting data into
the geodatabase: Advantages of migrating data to the
geodatabase; File and personal geodatabases; Loading
and importing data; Data sources available for
conversion; ArcToolbox conversion tools; Importing
and exporting data in ArcCatalog; Importing and
exporting data using XML; Copying and pasting data
between geodatabases; Batch and single conversions;
Loading data into existing feature classes using the
Simple Data Loader; Displaying x,y coordinate data
from a table; Accessing tabular data using an OLE DB
connection; Adding data from a GIS server; Working
with map projections and datums. |
| Geodatabase
behavior: What is behavior?; Advantages of using
behaviors; Default values; Subtypes; Domains;
Geodatabase topology. |
| Editing GIS data:
Creating new data (digitizing, copying and pasting
features, Editor menu commands); Constructing an
edit sketch using constraints (direction, length,
parallel); Creating adjacent polygons using the
Auto-Complete Polygon task; Modifying existing
features; Reshaping existing features and
boundaries; Exploding multipart features; Editing
using domains, subtypes, and topology. |
| Alligning spatial
data: Common data alignment problems; Georeferencing
CAD data; Matching layer boundaries; Transformation;
Rubber sheeting; RMS error. |
| Managing
geoprocessing tools and settings: Types of toolboxes
and how they are stored; Types of tools (system
tools, models, scripts); Locating tools in
ArcToolbox; Executing tools; Tool parameters;
Parameter error detection; Environment settings;
Tool layers; Geoprocessing results. |
| Analyzing GIS
data: Review of common analysis tools (Buffer, Clip,
Intersect, Select, Union); Working with feature
proximity tools (Near, Spatial Join, Multiple Ring
Buffer, Create Thiessen Polygons); Analyzing tabular
data; Creating a raster subset; Analysis options
outside of core ArcGIS Desktop; Typical analysis
workflow. |
| Using ModelBuilder
for analysis: Working with ModelBuilder; Creating
and designing models; Model elements (tools and
variables); Setting general model properties;
Setting model parameters; Environment settings;
Intermediate data; Running and troubleshooting a
model; Creating model documentation. |
| GIS analysis
projects: Real-world GIS analysis projects (Find the
best site for a new shelter, Find the mileage of
flooded roads); The analytical process for each
project. |
