How to Use GIS247

Training Courses and Modules
Note that this "How To" page refers to the full training courses and modules available to registered users of GIS247 - instructions on "How To Use the Trial" are available here.

Training Catalog
Each training course is listed on the Training Catalog.
The Training Catalog has tabs for Courses and Modules and GIS Essentials - coming soon
The Courses tab lists the full training courses.
The Modules tab lists the separate technical modules that are also available.
The GIS Essentials tab will list the educational modules that are available to support the use of GIS.

All GIS247 training courses are comprised of a series of presentations and hands-on exercises. It is recommended that you view the appropriate video presentation before undertaking the exercise.

All GIS247 modules (super modules and mini modules) are comprised of a presentation on a specific function or collection of related functions.

Full Training Courses
On the Courses tab, click on a course of interest to see its section titles plus an Assets bar. This Assets bar holds key downloadable information about each course. This will include a Factsheet, a Datafile and a ReadMe file. This information is different for each course.

The Factsheet is a PDF document that lists the course structure and topics. You can also view this information by clicking the symbols next to each course section on the course page. The becomes a when clicked so that you can hide the topics again.

The Datafile is a zip file; it contains the data required to undertake the exercises for the course. Click on the DataFile link to download the zip file. The data in this file must be extracted appropriately. Instructions on how to install the data from the zip file are in the ReadMe.

The Maps or Workspaces file is a zip file; it contains the prepared map documents or workspaces required to undertake the exercises for the course. Click on the file link to download the zip file. The contents of this file must be extracted appropriately. Instructions on how to install the map documents/workspaces from the zip file are in the ReadMe.

The ReadMe is a PDF document; it contains instructions on how to install the course data ready for using with the course exercises.
You need to read the ReadMe file in order to install the data correctly - this is crucial for the course exercises.
Click on the ReadMe PDF icon to view the instructions. You can print them if you wish. The data can be installed on any computer accessible by somebody licenced to use GIS247 training material from your company. Refer to our Terms for usage conditions and if in doubt. Of course, you will need the appropriate GIS software installed on the computer to use the course data and map documents or workspaces.

The Datafile, Maps/Workspaces and ReadMe files are different for each course. Note that some courses require additional data from the data CDs provided with your GIS software. The ReadMe file will include appropriate instructions on accessing this data if required for your chosen course. These instructions will also be available to your GIS Training Administrator who should be able to provide any additional data for you rather than you having to do it yourself. Contact your GIS Training Administrator for details.

Course Sections
Each training course is comprised of a number of different sections. Some sections have one part with one exercise while other sections have two or more parts with two or more exercises. The number of dots next to each section indicates the number of parts it has and your progress with the material available from each part of the section.
In this example, the section has 3 parts.

All dots are red to start. Once you have viewed a presentation and the part's exercise, the dot for that part will turn green. If you only view the presentation or the exercise, the dot will turn orange. These dots are a useful visual reminder to indicate which parts you have completed and which ones you still need to complete. In the above example, the dots indicate that the user has completed the first part of the section, partially completed part 2 and not completed any of part 3. Remember that completed parts remain accessible for the duration of your GIS247 licence, so you can re-run presentations and redo exercises as many times as you wish.

Course Assets
Each course section page has its own Assets bar. This Assets bar holds the presentation and exercise for each course part. Some sections now have an InVision presentation too.

To view a presentation, simply click the presentation icon and the presentation software will open. Then click the Play button to view the presentation. Don't forget to turn on your speakers or connect your headphones to hear the audio that comes with the presentation.

Once you have finished a presentation you are invited to undertake the exercise that follows on from the presentation. Simply click the Back button on your browser to return to the page for the current course part and then click on the exercise icon to open up the exercise's PDF file. You can either print out the exercise or read it on screen. Again, you can repeat an exercise as many times as you wish.

Modules
Click on the Modules tab of the Training Catalog to review the separate information modules available.
There are 3 types of Modules provided for each GIS software supported by GIS247: Super Modules, Mini Modules and Education Modules.

Super Modules are comprehensive presentations that concentrate on the functions that relate to a specific topic, such as Labeling or Layouts or building and managing Geodatabases. Each Super Module takes you through right from the basics of a function through to the advanced and complex stuff in one go. The Super Modules are a really good way to get to grips with everything about a specific topic in one go. Super Modules tend to be quite long presenations (see the Module timing information for details) but don't forget they can be paused, re-wound and re-played as often as you wish.

Mini Modules provide a short presentation about a specific function, such as the Go To XY Tool or the HTML PopUp tool. Simply click on the presentation icon next to a mini module to run the presentation. You can re-run the presentations for mini modules as many times as you wish. Mini modules do not have exercises or datafiles but provide a comprehensive explanation about the tool's use and settings.

Education Modules - NEW and coming soon are under the Training Catalog tab titled GIS Essentials. These modules are presenations that provide education and background information about issues, topics and aspects you should have knowledge of to use any GIS software effectively.