ArcSchool Reader: K–12 Education
Welcome to ArcSchool Reader, a periodic e-newsletter from the ESRI Education team. Each issue provides a quick glimpse of software news; user stories; reminders; and hints about tools, data, and support covering the use of GIS in primary and secondary schools (K-12 education).
In this Issue
Software News
ArcWeb Services for Students and Educators
ArcWeb Services comprise an environment in which data providers make their data accessible to users via Web browsers or Internet-savvy GIS tools such as ArcGIS. Users can access street maps, weather maps, satellite or shaded relief imagery, topographic maps, transportation data, demographic data, and boundaries. Users acquire an account with a certain number of credits, then consume credits by making maps. ArcWeb Services for Students and Educators provide a set of free global mapping APIs for students and educators interested in developing Web-enabled GIS for classroom work or research projects. ArcWeb Services for Students and Educators enable students without GIS training to use the power of GIS in their research or classroom work. National Geographic Society and ESRI business partners GlobeXplorer LLC and Tele Atlas North America are sponsoring ArcWeb Services for Students and Educators by providing access to their respective map datasets.
ArcGIS 9.1 Service Pack 1
Over the summer, many schools work on scrubbing down and rebuilding labs. When reinstalling the software, remember to add the latest service pack SP1 (as of this writing). Service packs provide valuable little improvements and fixes for many users. To see what version of software (including service pack) is currently running, engage the ArcGIS Desktop Administrator; the first screen details the current configuration. Most users will only need to install the ArcGIS Desktop service pack.
Data News
ESRI Data & Maps and StreetMap USA 2006 Data Update
Data is changing faster than ever! ESRI has prepared an updated package of data to go along with core ArcGIS software. Existing users with current maintenance agreements can request an updated Data & Maps DVD that offers more than 60 datasets that include all of the United States, Tele Atlas and European basemap data, and minor corrections and enhancements. There is no cost to request the update, but only one copy can be obtained per customer number.
EPA BASINS
Many educators and their students get started in GIS using the local watershed as a study area. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has posted some terrific GIS data, via the Better Assessment Science Integrating Point & Nonpoint Sources (BASINS) program. The BASINS program and data can be a bit overwhelming for new users. A handy tutorial from ESRI (for retrieving just a few bits of locally relevant data) is available online.
Support News
ESRI Education User Conference
Where do aspiring GIS educators go for the latest information about GIS in education, networking with other instructors, and hands-on labs using the latest software? To San Diego and the ESRI Education User Conference, August 5–8, 2006! Two days of education-focused content are followed by joining in the big opening day of the International User Conference plus one more day of mix-and-match. Enjoy four days of rubbing shoulders with hundreds of GIS educators and more than 10,000 GIS users from around the world! Even if you miss online registration, you can register in person.
ESRI Virtual Campus
K–12 school districts with ArcView or ArcGIS District Site Licenses have a huge opportunity waiting for them. Licensed districts have a Standard Subscription, which means they get to take advantage of any of the ESRI-authored courses and workshops. A quick look at the list shows about 50 different options. Students, teachers, and staff in these districts can avail themselves of this content. See ESRI Training and Education Courses.
User News
Editorial Projects in Education: Diplomas Count
Education news has received a geographic boost. Editorial Projects in Education (EPE) publishes Education Week and Teacher Magazine about K–12 education in the United States. They also produce two annual supplements—Quality Counts and Technology Counts. In June, EPE released a new document—Diplomas Count—which looks at graduation at the school district level. EPE is teaming with ESRI for an online mapping service to let educators, administrators, policy makers, and parents see detailed data about their district. The first phase of the operation uses a high-resolution downloadable map showing the 11,000 school districts with high school students in 2002–03 (the latest year for which data is available). See the full site at www.edweek.org/dc06.
GIS and Careers
GIS and other geospatial technologies are becoming more prominent in everyday business workflow. Preparation and recovery activities related to hurricanes and earthquakes show the power of maps for intelligent decision making. These technologies and careers have become a focal point inside the U.S. Department of Labor and key organizations interested in workforce preparation. ESRI has worked with Career Corner TV to create a series of video interviews that show the power of GIS and geographic analysis in today's world, whether managing the day-to-day operations of a city, preserving wilderness for our children, or responding to a local emergency. Read more about GIS and Careers.
Calendar: Key Events
Local GIS User Group Meetings
National 4-H Youth Technology Leadership Conference
University of Nebraska, Lincoln
July 24–28, 2006
ESRI Education User Conference
San Diego, CA
August 5–8, 2006
ESRI International User Conference
San Diego, CA
August 7–11, 2006
GIS Day
Everywhere
November 15, 2006
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