a space for teaching and learning mapping, GIS, and geospatial methods
Beyond Software & Code
Learning math is not the same as learning to use a calculator.
Learning geospatial and GIS technologies is no different. The resources collected here respond to a growing need for software-agnostic, contextualized, and concept-driven spatial pedagogies. Our goals and perspective are simple:
Maintaining a software-agnostic approach to teaching geospatial and GIS concepts and methods supports relevant and meaningful learning that is independent of changes in the products and apps available, regardless of which tools students have at their disposal.
Conceptually separating “learning applied GIS” from “learning GIS tools” recognizes that conflating the two is often the first (and fundamental) pedagogical barrier to deep and critical engagement with spatial logics, developing geographic insight, and learning how (where and when) to apply different approaches.
Mapping Concepts & Methods of Spatial Analysis
Understanding the concepts of cartographic thinking and methods of spatial analysis remain constant, even as data and tools change.
While the technologies used for geospatial analysis have changed drastically and datasets have grown immeasurably, the core concepts, methods, and questions raised by GIS have largely stayed the same. Understanding these concepts and mastering the logic of different approaches stays with you as the tools evolve and develop.
A time-tested series of comparisons that help us think about the choices we make for map symbology, classification, normalization, and aggregation.
A quick review of classified and unclassified symbols for mapping quantitative information
Spatial datasets, like all datasets, are never raw. Each is the result of several decisions, priorities, and constraints. They are authored and edited.
(Almost) every map we produce or encounter will have some combination of elements usually deemed “necessary” or “required.” The typical list can be both useful and problematic.
Skills Tutorials
“Software-agnostic” does not mean removing GIS software from GIS education.
On the contrary! We provide skills tutorials on multiple platforms and tools with a mind toward “concept-first” geospatial and mapping practice. To us, this means that keeping a set of flexible resources for the “hard skills” in your back pocket will open space for the harder questions of GIS methodology design, GIS/Geography theory, and cartographic communication.
Go to Software Skills Tutorials | See a Categorized List of All Tutorials here
(QGIS) Setting Up to Plot; Option 1: Drag from Browser Panel; Option 2: Add from Data Source Manager
(QGIS) Accessing the Plugins Window; Installing Plugins from Repository and ZIP File; Viewing Installed Plugins
(ArcGIS Pro) Setting Up for Digitizing; Adding Line Features, Modifying and Deleting Line Features; Additional digitization tools
(QGIS) Option 1: Create Attributes while Digitizing; Option 2: Add in the Attribute Table
(ArcGIS Pro) Setting Up for Digitizing; Adding Point Features; Modifying and Deleting Point Features; Additional digitization tools
QGIS) Replicating (copying) values from one attribute field to another, when calculating fields
(ArcGIS Pro) Accessing the Create Feature Class tool; Create Feature Class parameters; New Vector Datasets (example results)
(ArcGIS Pro) What is geocoding?; Preparing to geocode; Geocoding by Polygons (three steps)
(ArcGIS) Setting up for Digitizing including accessing the Digitizing Pane and Toggling Editing mode; Adding polygon features; Editing polygon features with the Vertex tool; Highlighting other digitizing tools
(ArcGIS) Setting up for georeferencing; Accessing the Georeferencer; Adding control points; Checking accuracy and Adjusting control points; Transformation Settings; Running the georeferencing operation; More notes and tips on control points
(QGIS) Default raster symbology settings; Accessing and reviewing raster symbology options; Changing the color ramp, with an example
(QGIS) Accessing the Heatmap tool and reviewing its parameters; Calculating a Kernel Density raster from point features with three examples
(QGIS) Accessing the Buffer tool and reviewing its parameters; Running the tool with one example
(QGIS) Accessing the Aggregate tool; Reviewing the tool’s parameters; Examining results with an example
(ArcGIS Pro) How to access the details of a projected CRS to make a modified copy with customized changes
(ArcGIS Pro) Adding and Calculating a New Field in one step with the Calculate Field tool
(ArcGIS Pro) Accessing attribute summary statistics; Reviewing the field statistics panel
(QGIS) Accessing the Layer Properties menu; Vector layer properties; Raster layer properties
(QGIS) Setting up for georeferencing; Accessing the Georeferencer; Adding control points; Checking accuracy and Adjusting control points; Transformation Settings; Running the georeferencing operation; More notes and tips on control points
(QGIS) Setting up for Digitizing including accessing the Digitizing Toolbar and Toggling Editing mode; Adding polygon features; Editing polygon features with the Vertex tool; Highlighting other digitizing tools
(QGIS) Setting up for Digitizing including accessing the Digitizing Toolbar and Toggling Editing mode; Adding line features; Editing line features with the Vertex tool; Highlighting other digitizing tools
(QGIS) Setting up for Digitizing including accessing the Digitizing Toolbar and Toggling Editing mode; Adding point features; Editing point features with the Vertex tool; Highlighting other digitizing tools
(QGIS) Accessing the Create Layers tools; the New Shapefile Layer tool’s parameters and examples.
(QGIS) Accessing the Clip tool; Reviewing the Clip tool parameters; Running the tool and examining results, with an example
(ArcGIS Pro) Accessing the Count Overlapping Features tool and reviewing its parameters; Running the tool and examining its results, with an example
About Mapping 101
The materials presented here are a continuous work-in-progress, compiled to support widespread teaching and learning of geographic information systems, critical geospatial methodology design, and cartographic practice. Much of the content and structure has been developed (from 2012 onward) within Leah Meisterlin’s courses at multiple colleges and universities. Beginning in early 2025, materials from these various courses were (and continue to be) updated and added to this site.
Mapping 101 is produced and maintained by Leah and Meisterlin Projects. For more, reach out at info@meisterlinprojects.com.