Courses - GIS in the Classroom

GIS in the Classroom Course

In this two-day course, participants learn to use GIS software for teaching students to interact with and understand the world by creating thematic maps. Learn basic spatial skills to apply to lessons and projects in the classroom and/or community. Use data sets such as rivers, roads, lakes, counties, etc., to create simple to complex maps with themes and layers. Use created maps to illustrate curricular concepts, evaluate data, solve problems, and apply these concepts to a lesson for the classroom. Participants receive a FREE school site license for the GIS software used in class. We strongly recommend two or more people from the same school attend together.

Prerequisites:

Basic computer and Internet skills

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, participants will:

  • Understand how to use the GIS software and be able to build simple to complex maps.
  • Understand a variety of ways GIS can be integrated into the core curriculum and classroom practices.
  • Recognize how GIS can support research-based learning strategies.
  • Identify and develop a project-based experience for their students using GIS software.
  • Be able to use GIS in a project that challenges students to reach higher levels of thinking based on Bloom’s taxonomy.

Credit:

1 hour USOE credit
1 semester hour SUU credit

Points:

14 licensure points

This class meets the following NETS for teachers:
I.B, II.A, B, C, D & E, III.A, B, C & D, IV.A, B, & C, V.B, D, VI.A, B, C, D, & E

Assignment:

Within a month of class, try a GIS activity in the classroom. In a reflective paper describe the activity and answer the following:

  • What curriculum standard and/or objectives did the project support?
  • What worked?
  • What didn’t work?
  • What did you and your students learn from the activity?
  • What types of assessment did you use?
  • What are your plans for using spatial thinking, geographic inquiry and GIS tools in the future?