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
ArcGIS 9.1
The latest version of the ArcGIS family is 9.1, released at the beginning of summer. ArcGIS Desktop tools (ArcView, ArcEditor, and ArcInfo) now include the capability to save projects for use on older versions, back to 8.3. ArcView now incorporates what used to be separate StreetMap and ArcPress extensions. The new ArcGIS Publisher extension allows creation of 3D globes for display in ArcReader. In addition, the powerful ArcGIS Network Analyst is now available for the ArcGIS Desktop tools.
ArcExplorer—Java Edition for Education
You can get students and instructors started with a lightweight but powerful GIS. Try ArcExplorer-Java Edition for Education (JEE). This Java-based tool can run on Windows 98 SE or higher or Macintosh OS 10.2 or higher. ArcExplorer JEE can display data from local sources or from ArcIMS software-based servers on the Internet. It can project decimal degree shapefiles on the fly, conduct custom classifications, and convert x,y tables to point shapefiles. Free downloads are available. Visit ArcLessons for accompanying lessons.
Data News
Data & Maps 2005
The latest version of ArcGIS software includes updated information for countries; U.S. states, counties, cities, census tracts, block groups, and ZIP Codes; and various levels of lakes, rivers, and roads. More data is packed into super-compressed files to save space. Also included are DVDs of imagery for use with ArcMap and ArcGlobe.
Support News
National Academies Report
One of the most anxiously awaited reports is almost ready for public access. After years of study and writing, the National Research Council is preparing to release Learning to Think Spatially: GIS as a Support System in the K-12 Curriculum. The report details why spatial thinking should be broadly incorporated into the American K-12 education system. It then shows how and why GIS can be a powerful support system for fostering spatial literacy. Educators at all levels, and those interested in the instruction of America's children, should see this report.
ESRI Press Workbook
The first edition of the ESRI Press book Mapping Our World: GIS Lessons for Educators was a tremendous success in helping teachers across the United States and around the world to use ArcView 3 in their classrooms. Now there is a new version for ArcView 9 software. Mapping Our World (ArcGIS Desktop Edition) includes the same great content, the same ties to U.S. national standards, and the same attention to powerful analysis. Included with the book is an installable version of ArcView 9 with a one-year time-out, school building instructional use license.
User News
Waterville, Washington, and NatureMapping
Opening day of the 2005 ESRI International User Conference included a remarkable presentation by a team of students from Waterville Elementary School in Waterville, Washington. The fourth grade class of Diane Petersen spent the year studying the horny toad. Their exploration encompassed geography, history, math, science, language arts, community partnerships, and extensive fieldwork. It was done in partnership with the NatureMapping program. Be sure to read their Edutopia story.
Kidz Online
A video crew from Kidz Online, a youth-focused technology education organization, captured many highlights of the 2005 ESRI Education User and International User conferences: more than 20 GIS career interviews including conference keynoters David Rumsey and Mike Fay, 4-H and other youth projects, a panel discussion on the Learning to Think Spatially report, and other aspects of the conferences. ESRI is working with them to get portions of this content online. Periodically explore their Geospatial 21 Project site for these and other materials.
Calendar: Key Events
Local GIS User Group Meetings
National Council for Geographic Education 2005 Annual Meeting
October 12-15, 2005, Birmingham, Alabama
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