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!

Q & A: How do I add *.gpx files from my gps unit to an online map?

Charlie Fitzpatrick presented an excellent webinar last night!  One of the things that he demonstrated was adding GPS (*.gpx) files to an online map. An attendee asked me for some detailed instructions, so here you go.  It's REALLY easy to do!

In Esri's Map Viewer:

Drag and Drop

1. Go to arcgis.com. Click Map at the top.
2. Open your File explorer in windows. 
3. Drag the *.gpx file from your Windows file explorer to the middle of the map.
4. Poof!  It will add it to the map and zoom to that location.

Add the File

1. Go to arcgis.com. Click Map at the top.
2. Click the add button.  Select Add layers from File.
3. Click choose file.  Navigate to your gpx file. Click ok.
4. Click import.
5. It adds the file and zooms to it.

In Esri 's ArcGIS Explorer Online:

1. Go to arcgis.com.
2. Below the featured map images, select Start ArcGIS Explorer Online.

Drag and drop works the same.

1. Drag the file from your  Windows  explorer window onto the map.  
2. A box comes up that asks about importing the file.  Choose what's correct for your data.  
3. Click okay and it zooms to the file.

Adding with the Add button

1. Click the Add Content button.
2. Click the Import tab.
3. Choose the type of file.
4. Navigate and select that file. Select it and click ok.
5. The same import box comes up that did when you do the drag and drop.  Select what's correct for your data.
6. Click ok and it adds and zooms.

Boldly Going Were No Maps Have Gone Before

Some critics say the online mapping tools and free mapping tools are like chasing a moving target.  Well, warm up your running shoes and pack extra arrows in your quiver, because the latest version of ArcGIS Explorer Online is worth the effort to chase it down!


Those of you who have been involved with the effort to integrate geospatial technology (GIS, GPS & Remote Sensing) into the classroom environment for the last 10 years or so know we've been through many changes in terms of viable solutions.  Didn't you love ArcVoyager and it's prescribed modules...so nice, and then AEJEE with it's closer-to-the-real-thing features.  We began to embrace ArcGIS Explorer (now ArcGIS Explorer Desktop) virtual globe with it's improving features.  As new tools came along, old ones die away...rules change.  The pursuit could be frustrating or invigorating depending on your tendency towards a glass half-full or half-empty mentality.  As things changed, you had to remember that these tools weren't always built with educators and classrooms in mind, rather designed for business, industry and the general public.  The creative educators were utilizing the cools tools.  Well, the game is changing again.  Gone are the concerns for whether you have a Mac or a PC! (cue those hilarious commercials http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5z0Ia5jDt4)  Run it all in your internet browser!  Woohoo!


So what's possible?  Queries and shapefiles and map notes...oh my!


I've created some examples and posted a collection of links to maps and data that are residing in my account space (for free) at arcgis.com. http://www.barbareeduke.com/mymaps 
There are samples of old lessons that are still on my website and in ArcLessons as well as some new ones, such as T.S. Spivet and Plessy v. Ferguson.  


I think the real treasure in these tools is more flexibility. As an educator, I can create the beginnings of a map and prompt students with the expected handouts; then, my students access that map, add more data and analysis to it AND...(drum roll, please) create a presentation using the built-in presentation features to assess their knowledge, thinking and communication skills.  We're teaching many more skills than GIS with this tool and its features.  We expose students to course content, subject analysis, directed research, critical thinking, problem solving, story telling, persuasive writing and public speaking.  I challenge you to find me a tool that does all of that...in a web browser!


There are great tips and information at the Esri blogs for each product.  Also the Esri Education Team's blog has great educational insights and some step-by-step entries on using the tools as well as implementing the tools.

Check out the blogs: 
Esri Education Community
http://edcommunity.esri.com/
ArcGIS Explorer Desktop
http://blogs.esri.com/Info/blogs/arcgisexplorerblog/default.aspx
ArcGIS Explorer Online
http://blogs.esri.com/Support/blogs/arcgisonline/default.aspx

Thank you to Bernie Szukalski & the Esri team for bringing us a great set of tools!

Q & A: How Do I Share an Online Map within my Blog?

I recently met a great group of teachers in the Dallas area.  We spent the afternoon together talking about geospatial technology.  They were excited about online maps and were intrigued about the possibilities.  One teacher was going on some world adventures this summer and wanted to document the journey so that she could revisit it with her students.

Question: She said, "How do I share an online map within my blog?"

Answer: (PDF of these instructions)

Go to http://www.ArcGIS.com  (Be sure you have an account for the site so that you can save your map.)

Click on Make a Map.

Click Add. Select Create Editable Layers.

In the Add Features box, choose what you want to add to the map, a point, line or polygon.

Click the type of feature you want to add.

Click on the map where want to put the feature on the map.

Now edit the feature (give it a title, add a description, put a link to a picture online, a pertinent website, etc.) Click on the item on the map to get this box.

Once you’ve added all the details to your map, save the map your online arcgis.com folder.

Now you’re ready to share your map.  Click the Share link.

Turn on the Share with everyone (public) so that the Embed in Website button is active.

Click embed in website and you’ll get the embed code to copy and paste into your blog entry.

As you have more points, lines or polygons to add to your map, you’ll just login and edit the original map, save…adding the new stuff each time.  The embed code will not change.

Try it!
Sample on my blog: http://gisined.blogspot.com/search?q=devil%27s+lake

ArcGIS Explorer Online How-To Guide

If you're searching for a nice how-to document on using the Esri ArcGIS Explorer Online tool, then point your browser over to the University of Redlands.  They have done a nice job with most of the basic functions that you would want to use with students.  http://www.institute.redlands.edu/lens/downloads/guides/ArcGIS_Explorer_Online_extended_quickguide.pdf

Teach Reading and Writing with Geospatial Technologies

Reading, Writing and Thinking Around the Globe: Geospatial Technologies for the English Language Arts and Beyond

by Barbaree Ash Duke

If you’re looking for realistic ideas for implementing 21^stCentury tools into your classroom, then this is the book for you. Harness the power of online mapping, virtual globes and online content!  Spotlighted areas, reading and writing, foster ways to teach thinking in a tradition-laden subject.  Ready-to-use lessons, practical ideas, suggestions on collaboration and research make this book a must-have for many classrooms.

Get a copy for $25 in the GISetc Shop!

Send an email if you have questions!

Climate Change: See the Data!

This project offers a great way to integrate GIS and geospatial technologies with just your internet browser. Use this website to enhance your classroom discussion of climate change! http://www.climatewizard.org

Here's some additional information that might be helpful to that discussion:

http://www.esri.com/library/bestpractices/climate-change.pdf

Easy "Make a Map" GIS

ESRI?s new Make a Map application lets you zoom in on any area of the U.S. and select from 7 different demographic layers. Then you can link to the map you have made or embed it in your own Web page.Enter a location, select a layer, resize the map, and share the map:

http://mapapps.esri.com/create-map/index.html