I’m often asked the question, “Do you have a GIS lesson for …..?” These come in many varieties and I keep a running list of those requests. One came today from a colleague, who was sure that I had created a Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men lesson. Although I’ve taught that novel to my students over the years, I didn’t have a ready-made GIS lesson to send him.
With great tools like ArcGIS Online, I was able to quickly put together a simple map and point to some other great resources by Rick Thomas within the map.
Happy Earth Day!
Map of influences in Steinbeck’s life and novels
Educators need a multi-functional tool that can help teach, repair and assist exploration…a “swiss army knife” kind of educational gadget that can allow students to explore, yet gives teachers the necessary substance in required curriculum and high-stakes testing environments. And, hey… it’s just fun (always an appealing characteristic to wrangly middle schoolers)!
I often read articles and papers on learning, standards and other hot education topics. This article caught my eye today and I was thinking…GIS…a great tool to teach content while engaging students…and did I mention a tool they will most likely use in a future job! http://www.edutopia.org/blog/student-engagement-stories-heather-wolpert-gawron
For those of you who need a little fuel for the GIS fire in your camp, this article along with all the great resources we have in our community will have you making smores in no time! You’re not alone and there are excellent resources to get you started.
- Esri Education Community http://edcommunity.esri.com
- Map Portals
- STEM GIS lessons
- Books and Curriculum
- Institutes and Conferences
- You will find GIS sessions regularly on the ISTE and state affiliate conference programs. Also, find GIS sessions at these conferences- NCGE, AAG, SITE, NCSS, NSTA- and more!
For four years, Esri has held a week-long summer institute for 30 educators who want to help others engage GIS. For summer 2013, they aim to “kick it up a notch.” They’re seeking 100 educators or influencers of education who want to help educators learn to use ArcGIS Online. With web-based mapping now increasingly rich and robust, yet still easy to be successful with, it’s time to get more people engaged. This is a great opportunity for state-wide licenses
GIS experience is useful but not required for participation. What IS required is a mindset favoring problem-based learning and an interest in helping other educators engage ArcGIS Online. It’s a perfect opportunity for curriculum coordinators, PD providers, and content specialists as well as the in-the-trenches educators. They would love to see multiple applications from any state with a state-wide license.
If you’re at the National Science Teacher’s Association Conference (NSTA12), then stop by Booth #1737 to see my friends from Esri, GISetc and more.
They have lesson plans, free software, loaner gps units, cool geogeek swag and more!
Learn how to do GIS online with arcgis.com! So many cool tools…so little time!
Reading, Writing and Thinking Around the Globe: Geospatial Technologies for the English Language Arts and Beyond
by Barbaree Ash Duke
If you’re looking for realistic ideas for implementing 21stCentury tools into your classroom, then this is the book for you. Harness the power of online mapping, virtual globes and online content! Spotlighted areas, reading and writing, foster ways to teach thinking in a tradition-laden subject. Ready-to-use lessons, practical ideas, suggestions on collaboration and research make this book a must-have for many classrooms.
Come and get ’em! Books are in the store!
Reading, Writing & Thinking Around the Globe: Geospatial Technologies for the English Language Arts Classroom and Beyond by Barbaree Duke
20 Minute GIS for Young Explorers by Barbaree Duke, Anita Palmer & Roger Palmer