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K-12 educators: 5 things to try in 2024

Published Date
Author Angela Alexander

2023 is almost over! We hope you had a great year full of mapping and ArcGIS.  Here are 5 ArcGIS ideas for you to try in the New Year!

Whether you are starting a new semester in the winter or continuing with the same classes, here are some fun things to try using your ArcGIS account.

1. Discover ArcGIS Instant Apps
Learn how to turn web maps into shareable and customizable apps using ArcGIS Instant Apps via ArcGIS Online.  Get started today and create personalized, user-friendly apps from your maps in no time!

A map showing the world categorized by biomes.

Explore a new resource called ArcCanada Atlas created with ArcGIS Instant Apps. This Atlas app (a type of Instant App) covers many topics including biomes shown above.

2. Get charting!

Charts help uncover patterns, trends, and relationships in data. When used in conjunction with maps, charts can help you tell a more complete story with your data. What chart to use depends on the type of data you have in the layer you are using, and the information you want to present. Find out how you can create charts in a few mouse clicks in the Map Viewer (Go to step 8 - Charts).

A map in ArcGIS Online showing a scatter plot graph.

Scatter plot created in demo from Dive into Map Viewer webinar, June 2023.

3. Use cool effects in Map Viewer
Map Viewer Effects bring Photoshop-like capabilities to your layers in your web maps. You can use effects on all layer types that are supported in Map Viewer. Watch this video to see how you can quickly make amazing maps!

4. Go 3D!
Get a different perspective with your ArcGIS Online account. Check out these 3D capabilities in ArcGIS:
Scene Viewer – try out tools for exploring, analyzing, and navigating scenes such as measure, weather, and daylight tools.
3D Viewer Instant App - use this app to create an interactive 3D resource for your students to explore.

A globe with data projected in 3D.

Gif from Esri blog: Using the 3D Viewer Instant App to visualize time-enabled data, July 2023.

5. Try an Esri MOOC
Massive open online courses (MOOC) through Esri are a great way to learn more about the power of ArcGIS and its applications. We recommend this to educators and students who are keen on learning more about ArcGIS software, its applications in the real-world and want to build new skills. Access the courses with your ArcGIS Online account and you can earn a certificate upon completion.

Thank you!

From the K-12 group at Esri Canada - Thank you, K-12 educators and GIS Ambassadors for your on-going support. It's a pleasure to help you in your mapping and GIS journey. There will be more great things to come. Please stay tuned for more mapping adventures!

4 women smiling in front of 2 flags.

2023 was a wonderful year for the K-12 group. Arabelle Sauvé, Angela Alexander, Susie Saliola and Jean Tong received the Alex Trebek Medal for Geographic Literacy from the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS) on GIS Day, 2023. Thank you RCGS and Canadian Geographic Education - It was an honour and the best day ever!

Have a Mappy Holiday season! See you in 2024!

About the Author

Angela Alexander is a K-12 Education Specialist in the Esri Canada Education and Research group. She has over 15 years of experience working with educators across Canada. Angela focuses on producing geographic information system (GIS) and curriculum-specific resources, and conducting and creating custom workshops for educators. She manages the GIS Ambassador Program and is the Technical Chair for the annual Skills Ontario GIS competition. Angela also writes monthly posts for the Esri Canada Education and Research blog, highlighting K-12 educators and partners, new ArcGIS resources and GIS-related events.

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