Issue link: https://resources.esri.ca/i/732807
Incorporating Web GIS in the K-12 Classroom Esri Canada White Paper EC5_0147_1202_3A Esri Canada | 4 Introduction Natural hazards, biodiversity and energy resources. Water quality and watershed health. Population change and demographics. Climate, habitat and ecoregions. These and many other 21 st century issues are important reasons why educators are increasingly teaching with and about Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in the classroom. The growing momentum of GIS use in Canada‟s school curriculum has the benefit of promoting higher order thinking skills, spatial literacy and numeracy among students. The growing adoption has brought an increased demand for GIS technology and resources that are specifically designed to meet the needs of both educators and students. In the past, the use of GIS in the classroom in elementary and secondary schools came with its own set of challenges and roadblocks. Currently, the most common obstacle for educators is that many are not formally trained in the use of GIS and, consequently, do not know how to use the technology effectively. Common questions educators are faced with include: "How can I use GIS in my teaching?"; "Where can I obtain the data that I need?"; "What software choices exist and how can I obtain the software?"; "What kind of technology do I need to run the software?"; and "How does the software work?" To help answer these questions, Esri Canada offers solutions that are intended to address the urgent need of supporting inquiry-based learning and higher order thinking skills to help address the many issues our society faces today. Web GIS, or online mapping and analysis, present educators with a viable solution for incorporating geographic inquiry and spatial literacy in the K-12 classroom. With Web GIS, educators can teach with a solution that is ready to use, easy to learn, highly accessible and strategic to the curriculum, while not requiring expert knowledge or the need to invest a substantial amount of time preparing lessons. Above all, a Web GIS is hands-on and intuitive, creating a collaborative and engaging environment for students and teachers. The most fitting technology to kick-start GIS understanding among educators and students is with ArcGIS Online, a Web GIS application that is powerful, yet simple to use. ArcGIS Online allows students to create, edit and share maps for the purpose of learning. It provides access to a wealth of ready-to- use resources, such as community-based maps, data, supporting lessons and applications, which can be used immediately in the classroom. With ArcGIS Online, teachers do not need to worry about the technical requirements, complex functionality or time required to prepare lessons or find data. All that is required to get started is Internet access. Since ArcGIS Online is part of an entire suite of GIS software, teachers and students can progress to new and more powerful software options as they grow in their GIS capabilities. A wealth of topical and curriculum-based lessons and tutorials is also available that allows students to apply spatial analysis to real-world concerns. Integrating geographic thinking into teaching and learning can be easy with the right application and support. Consider, for example, what is being taught today. Does the subject matter have a geographical component to it? Is location a determining factor? Are spatial patterns being examined? These are important questions that can be answered with the use of GIS.