General steps:

  1. Register the course.
  2. The instructor will prepare the syllabus, lecture slides and notes, lab instruction and data, homework, etc. and post them on ELMS.
  3. The online classroom will be created for lectures and labs using Adobe Connect. The link (URL) to the classroom will be notified in the syllabus.
  4. For hardware, students will only need to prepare a computer with access to Internet. For each lecture/lab, the student will click the URL to enter the classroom. Students may either login with their UID and password, or enter the classroom as guest.
  5. The software will be provided for free by the instructor (e.g., ArcGIS, R). Students will install the software on their computer before the class start. The software installation manual is also provided by the instructor on ELMS.
  6. Before each lecture, students are expected to download from ELMS the corresponding lecture slides and/or notes, review the materials.
  7. For lectures, the instructor will present and introduce the materials in Adobe Connect using slides, computer sharing, and other methods. Students can participate in the class (e.g., questions and discussion) by typing in the chat room of the Adobe Connect. Usually students do not need the video and audio function of the Adobe Connect.
  8. Before each lab, students are expected to download the lab instruction and data from ELMS. For labs, the instructor/TA will share her/his computer screen to demonstrate the lab step by step. Students may do the lab on their own computer together with the TA, or do the lab before/after the lab.
  9. The homework assignment will be downloaded from ELMS, and usually the homework questions are based on lecture and lab.
  10. The complete homework assignment (in Word) will be submitted on ELMS.
  11. The final exam is usually take home. Students will download the exam right before the exam, can complete the exam anywhere, and submit the exam on ELMS within the specified period of time (about 2-3 hours).
  12. Occasionally, for homework and exams, it may be difficult to type in Word. Students can write the answer on paper, then scan it as picture to be inserted in Word or take a clear picture and insert into Word.
  13. E-mails will be the primary method of communication, and appointments can be scheduled to meet the instructor or the TA.

We offer a number of technical classes online that require some basic computer skills and knowledge. Depending on the class there will be instructions below helping you prepare technically for the class. You will find video, manuals, and general tips for the class. This is meant help be as prepared and be fully equipped will all the tools before you enter the class room.

Click here to view what the Wimba Classroom looks like

GEOG372 (Online Course): Remote Sensing

- Pre Class handout (Getting Ready for class!)

-How to Install Citrix Video (For Mac Computer)

-How to Install Citrix (For Windows)

-FQA About Course

- Required Book for class

- What is Remote Sensing?

- Quick look at a old Syllabus

GEOG373 (Online Course):Geographic Information Systems

What is GIS?

- Learn about the software ArcGIS: installation, configuration and use at your own computer or via VMWare.

- Online Course: Elms

- Online Classroom: Adobe Connect, and archived class videos sharing on ELMS

- Quick look at an Old Syllabus

- How to Submit Assignments

GEOG330 (Online Course):As the World Turns: Society and Sustainability in a Time of Great Change

Office hours

Office hours are held virtually through Google Chat. The instructor will use the Google Chat screenname: “geogberndtson.” Send a chat request to my account or send an email to , and the instructor will request you. Visit: more information on enabling Gchat. Office hours are the best way to ensure a rapid response to your questions and concerns. The instructor will be happy to review quiz questions, reflection activities, upcoming term papers, and other assignments through office hours. Students are encouraged to attend!

Required software and hardware

You are required to have access to a computer with speakers and a microphone, and a broadband internet connection. The browser you use must have the Flash plugin installed. It is your responsibility to ensure your browser and computer can stream the lectures from Canvas. Faulty internet and/or computer access are not acceptable excuses for not completing the work on time. I recommend you follow the suggested agenda for viewing lectures posted below. Waiting until the last minute to view lectures means risking that your computer and internet access work as planned. Personal Computers (PC) and the Internet Explorer browser are the most compatible with the streaming lectures. Mac computers and other internet browsers can be compatible with the lectures, but require additional plug ins. It is your responsibility to make sure these are working to view lectures. The lectures are available in several formats: PowerPoint files, .wmv files and .mp4 files. The .wmv files play on PCs and on some Macs. Some Macs will automatically convert the .wmv to a compatible video file. The .mp4 files play on Macs using the VLC media player. It can be downloaded for free here: to an external site.). VLC should be able to both play .wmv files on a Mac and convert .wmv files on a Mac to MPEG-4 files. Before you sign up for this class, test these different media players and files on your computer!

Reflection Activities

RAs will be available on ELMS each week at 8am. RA teams have their own shared space on ELMS through which to collaborate on a common team document. On or before the first day of class reach out to your teammates to determine the best method of collaborating on and turning in RAs each week. You may choose to set up a weekly Skype meeting, Google Group chat, or other method of joint collaboration to share and consolidate responses. If you cannot find a common time to meet virtually and discuss each week, use the default method on the syllabus.The team leader for that week is responsible for setting up a collaboration Google Doc for all of that week’s RAs. Review the following materials to learn how to (1) enable Google Docs on your Canvas accounts ( and (2) ( start a group collaboration using Google Docs through Canvas. Teams can also share files( and have discussions (

GEOG306 (Online Course):Introduction to Quantitative Methods for the Geographic Environmental Sciences

- Sample Syllabus

- Lecture Preview

Brush up on some quantitativeskills and get ready for the Big Data era

- Installing the popular and free statistical software R

- Introduction on how to use R: Labs

GEOG202 (Online Course ): Introduction to Human Geography

- Required Book for class

-Sample Syllabus

GEOG110 (Online Coruse): The World Today: Global Perspectives

- Required Book for class

- Sample Syllabus

How To read an eml email from Department

- Downloademl reader

- Instructions on opening email