This is an instructor guided course taught in a Virtual GIS Classroom using the same technologies implemented by colleges and universities around the world to deliver Internet based courses. Our new Virtual GIS Classroom blends the best of instructor led and e-learning formats into a new instructor led web based format that allows for more interactivity between the instructor and student, and between students. The Virtual GIS Classroom Internet platform has the following features for each course:

• Audio and video lectures
• Video software demonstrations
• Supporting exercises and data
• Class forums and chats
• Upload and download of course assignments and exercises
• Course wikis
• Supplemental reading materials
• Quizzes
• Glossaries
• Peer assessment
• Much more!

GIS Programming 101: Mastering Python for Geoprocessing in ArcGIS is designed to teach the fundamental programming constructs of the Python language and how it can be integrated with ArcGIS Desktop to automate geoprocessing tasks.  Course participants will be led through a series of 12 modules described below.

ArcGIS Desktop (ArcView, ArcEditor, or ArcInfo license) 9.x

The biggest difference in this course and our other offerings is that it is an instructor guided course. Where our traditional products have been in a CD/download, self-paced format this new course will feature a lot of interaction between student and instructor. There will be chat sessions, discussion groups, exercise review with the instructor, and at least two phone meetings between student and instructor to discuss your progress. In addition, there will be interaction among students as well through discussion groups.

We have also updated all content in the current Python course and added several new modules including Geoprocessing in ArcGIS Server, Scheduling Geoprocessing Tasks, Using Messages to Report Python Output, and a Final Class Project that pulls everything together in one large exercise designed to reinforce all the concepts.

Exercises, Exercises, Exercises. Each of the ten main modules contain detailed exercises designed to reinforce the lecture materials. In addition, the final project is a comprehensive exercise covering many of the concepts taught during the course.

All of this material will be presented in a new web based format using technology currently be employed by major colleges and universities throughout the U.S. and Canada.