The paper examines the experience of creating e-learning course on the LMS Moodle at Kazan (Volga region) Federal University. Learning materials include in addition to the theoretical course a workshop for skills development in the field of modern space technologies and research methods. They also include instructions on practical work in virtual laboratory that promotes conducting educational research in the field of territorial development with the use of space technologies, GIS and remote sensing methods for bachelors on “Geoinformatics and Cartography” program of education. The course background material links to open online courses of leading world's universities (University of Oxford, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, etc.), being in accordance with their keywords, glossary, video and satellite educational materials.

System of academic performance rating for online training course on using space technologies for territorial development allows annual monitoring knowledge quality of training. Introductory, intermediate and final testing system, developed by the authors, showed an increase of share of students who have mastered satellite research methods in study of the Republic of Tatarstan territory up to 43%.

A survey among the Geography and Cartography Department students on “Geoinformatics and Cartography” undergraduate programme (four groups, 79 students) showed that despite of lack of proper electronic educational services at secondary schools which 90% of responders finished, students have a positive attitude towards the usage of the LMS Moodle in their studies (92% were “for”, 8% - had no information). 74% of those questioned would like to use open online courses of leading universities while preparing for their practical classes and during independent, individual work (19% have a language barrier). The student groups, which were interviewed, had students of 13 different nationalities.  These students are ready to take courses in three languages: Russian, English and Tatar.

Among the undoubted advantages of online learning for most geography and cartography students is easy access to vast scope of information that is especially valuable for them. It creates equal conditions in distribution of learning information between countries and even regions within the same country. Thus, providing access to rich scientific and educational information, distance education on using space technologies for territorial development helps to improve education quality on “Geoinformatics and Cartography” undergraduate programme at Kazan Federal University.