Thematic Course: Mapping for Information Management

This short course focuses on how to most effectively communicate through maps for decision making and advocacy. This includes looking at design principles and how a non-specialist can create a map using easily accessible tools such as Excel, Power Point or Google Maps. The course also provides the basis for GIS and how it can be used in a response. There is also a starter module on the open-source GIS software, QGIS, although learners will need to spend more time on this software to become proficient.

Learning objectives:

• Consider the advantages, disadvantages and appropriate uses of GIS versus non-GIS generated maps
• List key design principles for creating effective maps
• Create a simple, non-GIS generated map using appropriate software
• Describe the use of Vector and Raster data in GIS
• Describe QGIS software and explain how to set it up
• Create a map using QGIS

Course outline:

This course is composed of four modules:

• Communicating through maps
• Creating effective maps using non-GIS software
• Using GIS
• Creating a GIS Map

You can find the French and Spanish version of the course via these links.