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Course Spotlight Series: Maps and the Geospatial Revolution, just started March 25, led by Dr. Anthony C. Robinson of Penn State University. This article, based on an interview with the instructor, was written by Charlie Chung of Class Central. |
Technology is incorporating location information more than ever. How many of us rely on Google Maps for driving directions? On Uber to get a lift? On Yelp to pick a nearby restaurant? Dr. Anthony Robinson calls this greater availability and use of location data via technology the “geospatial revolution”.
It is a good time to learn about digital maps because of recent advances. Prof. Robinson explains, “the ability for a non-expert to create their own maps is a very recent thing in my field.” In the course, learners will create maps of their own, telling a story using data. This can be showing the locations of your favorite coffee shops or highlighting hikes that you took. Besides these personal uses, the geospatial revolution has also led to a growing number of career opportunities. Here are some areas where people can utilize their digital cartography skills:
As exciting as the new applications for physical location are, Prof. Robinson points out that ‘location’ can apply to other attributes as well, for example, sentiment. The possibilities for leveraging this skill are nearly endless, and that is what makes the geospatial revolution so exciting. If you would like to learn more, you can still sign up for the course. No background required! Read the full version of this article on Class Central’s blog. |