Reading, Writing and Thinking for Any Gadget

I've been busy making books accessible in multiple formats over the last few months.  My book is now available in digital PDF, Kindle and of course the good ol' print version.  In the coming weeks look for all the Carte Diem Press titles in multiple digital formats for your easy access to geospatial curriculum!

The whole team at GISetc is working hard to bring you everything you need to be geospatially successful in your environment...great deals on Esri Press books, buttons and fun stuff as well as solid lessons and activities for any age or environment.  We even encourage you to get outdoors with our GPS books!

Worried about the standards and how you can integrate geospatial technology and geography? Then, worry no more!  We have you covered on the standards as well!  All of our books are aligned to the Technology, Geography and Common Core ELA standards!

• Common Core for English Language Arts
• National Geography Standards
• National Technology Standards-Students

If you need books in bulk, they've got you covered too!  Just zap an email to the staff and they'll quote you a bulk discount.

Stay posted on all the latest from GISetc as well as free resources by liking our Facebook page or joining the list to get the latest info and resources once a month or so.

Mapping the Holidays

Today I was thinking about sharing a Christmas map resource. I envisioned maps of trees or Santa's track for Christmas Eve. I started with ArcGIS Online and typed in the search word "Christmas." The search result alone gives great ideas on ways to map holiday happenings no matter where you are in the world.

Some ideas from other fine map-mined folks around the world are:

• Christmas Islands
• light displays 
• market maps
• parade maps
• tree recycling locations
• events
• Santa sightings
• shopping malls
• Christmas dinner
• Christmas list

So go enjoy some great maps from other folks or make your own and share it with us!

Mappy Holidays!

GIS: Your Spatial "Swiss Army Knife"

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.

Resources

• Esri Education Community http://edcommunity.esri.com
• Map Portals 
• http://www.barbareeduke.com/mymaps
• http://www.gisetc.com/20minGIS/
• http://storymaps.esri.com 
• STEM GIS lessons
• http://www.isat.jmu.edu/stem/curriculum.html
• Books and Curriculum 
• Buy teacher-created materials and Esri books: http://www.gisetc.com/shop
• Free resources: http://www.barbareeduke.com/downloads/downloads.htm


• Free GIS lessons: http://www.esri.com/arclessons


• 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.
  
  
  See http://esriurl.com/funwithgis130 and http://esriurl.com/t3g. Or see T3G in operation at http://esriurl.com/t3gvideos. 

Story Maps #2: What's Your Dinner's Story?

I love the idea that we are story telling with maps.  Most people enjoy a great story.  Good stories have a central theme or motif (fancy English teacher word).  With a guiding motif, we can add items to our story that  express emotion, inform and provoke discussion.  In a conversation recently, we were plotting and laughing about food's role in getting people to attend events...even in a virtual event, just the "talk" of food elicited more responses from folks. So let's chase that rabbit...what stories can maps tell centered around food?

It makes sense to start at the beginning of food, agriculturally.  Where is it grown? How is it processed?  What foods are produced most?  What other uses do food plants have...other than filling your belly? The good folks over at Esri Story Maps have created a great story on this topic. "Feeding the World"  http://storymaps.esri.com/stories/feedingtheworld/. Where did your breakfast come from? Visit the 20 Minute GIS Portal for that map.

If you want to use ArcGIS desktop then have a look at Survivor Agriculture!  It gives students a chance to imagine an apocalyptic scenario where food is valuable trade as well as necessary sustenance. What an interesting story students can build here!

Perhaps students would like to explore data and build their own maps...create a unique story from their perspective.  Go to www.arcgis.com and search for "food." You'll find many layers that relate to all aspects of food and agriculture.

I like the idea of telling family stories centered around food.  Even foodies out there can appreciate the location of that perfect meal.  Maybe it's the smell of Grandma's apple cookies or the adventures with a friend around the country that create amazing memories around food!

So don't let a good story pass you by!  What story did you live today?

Story Maps #1: Kids' Interviews

Grandview Hills Elementary Library Online

I just returned from my annual pilgrimage to the Esri Education Users Conference in San Diego, CA.  Aside from the lovely weather, the event is full of creative and insightful educators and professionals sharing the cool stuff they are doing.  Adding to the fun is the usual catching up and networking with colleagues, one in particular is the highlight of today's blog, Dee Porter.  


Dee is a librarian and media specialist in Leander, TX at an elementary school.  She's using ArcGIS online to curate a collection of interviews from students who have traveled to or were born in other countries.  Each point takes you to the student's map and then links you to a recording of their interview.  These charming little travelers are proof that maps can connect kids of any age to their own story. What story is your map telling?

Q & A: Can you use GIS to teach economics?

I was presented this question from a talented colleague who was being challenged by an economics teacher.

Simple answer: yes!

My colleague and I are big fans of GIS and believe that it's a valuable tool in almost any discipline.  I took a few minutes, maybe 5 or 10 minutes to be exact, and created an Economics Starter Map. http://bit.ly/JKRSaR
I opened arcgis.com, clicked map at the top of the page, clicked Add and selected search for layers.  Now, I'm no economics teacher but I did well in that class and know that they would be studying GDP so I did a search for "gdp" and got a list of several layers.  The World Bank has many layers available that also have time sliders that allow you to compare the data over time.  I added those, saved my map, shared my map and now I'm sharing it here with you.  The lesson here is, "Don't be afraid to look for information before you say it's not valuable to what I teach."

Do you have great economics and mapping materials to share?  Comment and share those here!

Happy mapping!