A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a computer software program that can be used to map, monitor, and model geographic features and phenomena.  By definition GIS is a system for the capture, storage, retrieval, analysis, and display of spatial data (Clarke 1995).  By using GIS and related geospatial technologies and products such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and aerial/satellite imagery, teachers can better develop a contextually rich learning environment to improve student understanding of geographic  patterns and processes, spatial reasoning skills, and ability to perform scientific inquiry.

 

This page includes links to other sites that offer excellent technical and pedagogical support for teachers interested in using GIS.

 

Websites

 

ESRI GIS Education Community
A living environment for the exchange of ideas and experiences, curriculum, software, and data between GIS educators around the globe.

GIS Lessons and Workbooks
Part of the ESRI GIS Education Community site, this page includes links to online lesson plans and workbooks that cover a variety of disciplines and geographic areas.

USGS and Science Education:  GIS Lab
Articles, GIS-based lessons, data, and resources from the U.S. Geological Survey.

K-State GIS Commons
KSU gateway to resources and information for the teaching of and research in the fields of geographic information science, spatial analysis, scientific and geographic visualization, exploratory spatial data analysis, and digital cartographic techniques.

GIS Data Sources
Part of the K-State GIS Commons site, this page contains an extensive listing of web-based sources for geographic data for a wide range of themes.

GIS Lounge K-12 Geographic Information Systems
Collection of references and tutorials on how to teach GIS to K-12 level students. Find lesson plans, user groups and more.

GIS and Environmental Science for K-12 Teachers
Models of real school projects using GIS in the study of the environment.  Produced during  the GIS and Envioronemnt Science Institute co-sponsored by the Woodrow Wilson Foundation, National Science Foundation, the University of the Pacific, and ESRI.

NCGIA Core Curriculum in GIScience
Series of online tutorials produced by the National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis (NCGIA), an independent research consortium dedicated to basic research and education in geographic information science.

The Geographer's Craft
Series of lecture and discussion notes and problems and exercises related to GIS, geographic data, and cartography.

 

Literature

 

Literature from ESRI
Part of the ESRI GIS Education Community website, this page contains papers dealing with best practices, introductory materials, white papers, and GIS lesson plans.

Learning to Think Spatially:  GIS as a Support System in the K-12 Curriculum
Spatial thinking is a cognitive skill that can be used in everyday life, the workplace, and science to structure problems, find answers, and express solutions using the properties of space. It can be learned and taught formally to students using appropriately designed tools, technologies, and curricula. This report explains the nature and functions of spatial thinking and shows how spatial thinking can be supported across the K-12 curriculum through the development of appropriate support systems. A geographic information system (GIS) is an example of a support system that, with recommended redesigns, can foster spatial thinking across the curriculum. The report calls for a national initiative to integrate spatial thinking into existing standards-based instruction across the school curriculum such as in mathematics, history, and science classes; it does not require the development of a new, separate course focusing solely on spatial thinking. The goal of this initiative is to create a generation of students who learn to think spatially in an informed way.

Executive Summary [PDF]
Podcast

Beyond Mapping:  Meeting National Needs Through Enhanced Geographic Information Science
Geographic information systems (GIS), the Global Positioning System (GPS), remote sensing, and other information technologies have all changed the nature of work in the mapping sciences and in the professions, industries, and institutions that depend on them for basic research and education. Today, geographic information systems have become central to the ways thousands of government agencies, private companies, and not-for-profit organizations do business. However, the supply of GIS/GIScience professionals has not kept pace with the demand generated by growing needs for more and improved geographic information systems and for more robust geographic data. This study assesses the state of mapping sciences at the beginning of the twenty-first century and identifies the critical national needs for GIS/GIScience professionals. It examines the forces that drive and accompany the need for GIS/GIScience professionals, including technological change, demand for geographic information, and changes in organizations.  It assesses education and research needs, including essential training and education, new curriculum challenges and responses, quality assurance in education and training, and organizational challenges. Some of the report's recommendations include more collaboration among academic disciplines, private companies, and government agencies; the implementation of GIS/GIScience at all levels of education; and the development of a coherent, comprehensive research agenda for the mapping sciences.

Executive Summary [PDF]
 

Free Software

 

ArcGIS Explorer
ArcGIS Explorer (AGX) is a Windows application that displays digital globes from ArcGIS Server, ArcIMS, Web Mapping Services, or a variety of local data types.

Google Earth
Google Earth lets you fly anywhere on Earth to view satellite imagery, maps, terrain, 3D buildings and even explore galaxies in the Sky. You can explore rich geographical content, save your toured places and share with others

Using Google Earth as a Map Viewer
By using some of GE's tools, one can create maps and views with limitless features. One can customize the virtual globe to display anything. Users can add their own imagery, their own GIS files and superimpose them over GE's own features

Google Sketchup
Easy to learn software that you can use to create, modify and share 3D models.

GeoDa
Exploratory spatial data analysis software that allows you to link graphs and maps.

 

Posters

 

Explore Your World with a Geographic Information System (ESRI) [PDF]

What is a GIS (USGS) [PDF]
Informative USGS GIS poster: What GIS is, why it is used, and how it is used around the world in specific applications

Back Side [PDF]