An English Teacher's Guide to Mapping: the videos

From GISetc...

*NEW* Video Series

We are excited to provide more free resources to help your students succeed.  Our resident English teacher,Barbaree Duke, will be featured this month on our YouTube channel.  She created a series of 4 videos called "An English Teacher's Guide to Mapping" that outlines several ways to implement geospatial technology into traditional classroom content.  In addition, the videos showcase rich content that is perfect for Black History Month, such as The Watsons Go to Birmingham, Langston Hughes, Twain and Slavery, and more.  Starting Monday, February 7th and every Monday in February, look for her informative videos on our channel.  We're sure you'll get some great ideas to use in your classroom setting!

GIS: An Essential Tool for Any Classroom

This week I had the honor of presenting in the 1 Tool at a Time Series sponsored by the ISTE SIGms and SIGilt.  In the short 30 minute session I shared what GIS looks like for the classroom and demonstrated how you can access maps and curriculum quickly.  You no longer need lots of time and expertise to infuse your classroom with geospatial technologies.


If you'd like to check out the recording, go the GIS in Education page at the 1 Tool at a Time Series wiki. http://1toolatatime.wikispaces.com/GIS+in+Education  While you're there, you'll find a handout of the links shared.


Also, Katie Christo, the SIGilt chair, put together the links along with some of her own on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/katiechristo/gis-mapping-in-education/.


And that's not all!  If you're still interested in learning more about how to get started with GIS in Education, join the folks at NCGE for a free webinar this coming Wednesday!  Charlie Fitzpatrick, Esri Education Manager, will be sharing his perspective on where to begin with GIS in Education.


Happy Mapping!

Overwhelming Options for the Classroom

Because I live near New Orleans, many of my house guests want a taste of the French Quarter when they visit.  We stop by the usual spots often and try to accommodate special requests.  On my most recent trek to the quarter with my Missouri visitors, I discovered a little bookstore shown in the photo.  Now...I love reading and books, but this scene was overwhelming to me as you barely could sidestep throughout the tiny establishment.  Books were teetering on stacks and wedged in nooks.  This scene makes an excellent visual metaphor for the overwhelming web 2.0 options for educators.  


In preparing for a webinar I'm presenting in a few weeks, I couldn't help thinking about how many GIS in Education options there are now opposed to 12 years ago when I started using GIS in my classroom.  These thoughts come to mind as you are choosing the best tool for each moment in your classroom, whether they are high or low tech options. Let's be realistic, you can't use them all...nor should you.  

• What do you want your students to know?
• Why are you considering a new tool?
• Are you teaching content?
• Are you teaching the tool?
• Why use this tool instead of pencil and paper?
• Why is this tool better than what I've used in the past?

Like my Dad says, "Use the right tool for the job! Otherwise you're just wasting your time."
Don't be dazzled by the glitz of shiny tools if they won't be helpful to changing your classroom and students...choose wisely!