What is the difference between data and information? Many people think they are the same. In fact, in the GIS world, they are very different. Revealing the disparity between the two concepts and teaching how information can be derived from spatial data are the focus of the new Esri Virtual Campus course Turning Data into Information. This six-module course is a companion to the book Geographic Information Systems and Science, coauthored by Paul A. Longley (University College, London), Michael F. Goodchild (University of California, Santa Barbara), David J. Maguire (Esri), and David W. Rhind (City University, London).

In its role as companion to the book, the Turning Data into Information course summarizes selected topics from Geographic Information Systems and Science and includes examples and hands-on exercises not found in the book. Teaching GIS principles in combination with software exercises and examples helps students develop a strong and practical GIS skill set.

In the course, students explore topics related to the visualization, measurement, transformation, optimization, and uncertainty of spatial data. Interesting concepts, such as dasymetric and multivariate mapping, spatial interpolation, fragmentation, and spatial autocorrelation, will broaden student awareness of spatial data. Course exercises use ArcGIS software and the ArcGIS Spatial Analyst extension.

The purpose of Turning Data into Information, its authors state, is to promote a better understanding of spatial data and how to use it appropriately. Essentially, the goal of the course is the same as that of the book, which, in the words of the Geographic Information Systems and Science authors, is to make students "more capable of doing certain desirable things." The converse is also true--both the course and the book take pains to alert students to things that can be done with spatial data (and often are) but should not be.

The fact is, many organizations now have access to spatial data that meets their initial requirements for basic mapping and querying. At the same time, many of the people using and interpreting spatial data are learning GIS on the job and have no educational background in geography. There is more to GIS analysis, however, than being able to accomplish tasks with the software; responsible GIS analysis requires that users know the inherent limitations of data and understand how to avoid drawing plausible but erroneous conclusions.

Turning Data into Information was created by a team of specialists at Esri working directly with the Geographic Information Systems and Science authors, all experts in the GIS field. The course is designed to work as a companion for students using the book in classroom settings, as well as a stand-alone course for those who do not have the book. Working professionals who need a deeper grounding in GIS theory will find this Virtual Campus course to be an excellent resource.

Like most Esri Virtual Campus courses, the first learning module of Turning Data into Information is free. For more information about the course and Geographic Information Systems and Science, visit the course catalog.