Introduction to Geographic Information Technologies

Overview

This microcredit introduces the fundamentals of geographic data, its sources, and reference sets. Students will learn to use tools such as QGIS and ArcGIS Online at a basic level, as well as to build simple GIS projects or atlases using vector and cell layers.

Goals

1. Introduction to Geographic Information Technology

2. Prepare for the development of more advanced courses

3. Explore GIS applications in primary, secondary and vocational education

Access requirements

Students must be between 25 and 64 years old on the date the training begins.

A university degree is not required to access this micro-credential. However, students wishing to access it must meet the following access requirements:
Being a primary school teacher in the subject of Environmental Studies
To be teachers of Compulsory Secondary Education and Baccalaureate in the specialty of Geography and History
To be teachers of Intermediate and Higher Vocational Training in the following fields:
- Family, Safety and Environment: TS Environmental Education and Control, TS in
- Chemistry and Environmental Health and TS in Emergency Coordination and Civil Protection.
- Family Physical and Sports Activities: Technician in Guiding in the Natural Environment and Leisure Time.
- Agricultural Family: TS in Forestry and Natural Environment Management, Technician in Use and Conservation of the Natural Environment and others (Landscape Design, Agricultural Production).
- Be students or graduates of the Master's Degree in Secondary and High School Teaching, Geography and History or students/graduates of the Primary Education Degree who meet the age requirement.

Academic program

Contents

The concept of GIS (GISc, GIS&T), its evolution (stations, platforms, GISWeb, GISauto), up to the present day and variants/applications will be introduced.
Two applications considered standard will be presented: QGIS (free, open source) and ArcGIS Online (ULL campus license; proprietary, but accessible and free for centers that request it).
Three reference digital data sources will be reviewed: ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World, the National Center for Geographic Information (CNIG), and the Spatial Data Infrastructure of the Canary Islands (IDECAN). *Canary Islands curriculum adaptation

Methodology and activities

Work: preparation of a study, essay, work… proposed in the subject, either individually or in a group following established guidelines.
Independent work: independent and self-regulated activity of the student based on the documentation and guidelines proposed in the subject, preparation of classes and exams, preparation of final reports, internship reports…
Assessment: continuous assessment tests and final exams. Tests may be in person or online, and may be written, oral, or consist of practical exercises.

The methodology to be carried out is as follows.

Individual work: individual preparation of assignments/projects/reports, portfolio, …* • Tutoring: instruction period in which teachers and students interact with the aim of reviewing and discussing materials and topics presented in class.
The work, guided step by step, has significant documentary support and, when requested, tutoring via email.

Evaluation criteria

Objective tests (true/false, multiple choice, test-type, fill-in-the-blank, ordering, etc.): These are measurement instruments that allow for the evaluation of knowledge, skills, performance, aptitudes, etc. The answers are closed-ended, thus promoting objectivity during the scoring process.
Written works, memoirs, internship reports, and projects: a document prepared on a topic or activity carried out, following the instructions established by the teaching staff.

** The questionnaires cover concepts, language, and the application's graphical interface. ** The assignments consist of a GIS project and very brief technical documentation.

General information

Credits: 1.5 ECTS

Duration: 04/05/2026 – 14/05/2026

Teaching modality: Virtual

Location: Virtual classroom on the ULL virtual campus

Registration fee: €32.62

Valued at: €108.75

Registration

More info and registration help

The cost of tuition for this Microcredential will be subsidized by the 'Plan for the development of university microcredentials', investment 6 of component 21 of the Addendum to the 'Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan', financed by the European Union – Next Generation EU, year 2025.