Mapping in the Digital Age

Mapping in the Digital Age
Instructor: Sonny Dawsey
Tuesdays, 9:00–10:30 AM | Pebble Hill | Jan 20 – Mar 3, 2026

Maps have come a long way from classroom atlases and folded road maps. Today’s digital tools let us explore the world in remarkable detail—from satellite imagery to smartphone navigation and public databases that reveal patterns of geography, climate, and population. This course introduces the world of digital mapping and geographic analysis, emphasizing accessible tools and real-world applications. Participants will learn about online mapping platforms, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and free public-domain software that allows users to create and customize their own maps. The class will include demonstrations, hands-on exploration, and opportunities to work with live data to see how digital mapping informs science, travel, and daily life.

About the Instructor:
Sonny Dawsey, PhD, is a retired Professor of Geography at Auburn University, where he taught courses in cartography and quantitative methods. A longtime OLLI instructor, he has developed and taught more than a dozen courses over the past fifteen years.

Fee Breakdown

Category	Description	Amount
Course Fee (Basic)	None Entered	$ 0.00