ArcSchool Reader
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- GIS Education Community Calendar
- ESRI Community Atlas Deadline
May 22, 2009
Anywhere, USA
- ESRI Teachers Teaching Teachers GIS Institute
June 15–19, 2009
Redlands, CA, USA
- ESRI Education User Conference
July 11-14, 2009
San Diego, CA, USA
- ESRI International User Conference
July 13-17, 2009
San Diego, CA, USA
- Local GIS User Group Meetings
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Welcome to ArcSchool Reader, a periodic e-newsletter from the ESRI education team covering the use of GIS technology in elementary and secondary schools (K–12 education).
In This Issue
Software News
ArcGIS Explorer
Looking for a no-cost, downloadable, easy-to-use geographic exploration tool? Have you tried ArcGIS Explorer? Check out the video demos that show the most popular and powerful capacities, like integrating layers, adding geotagged photos, importing data from a GPS, or e-mailing a map. Be sure to see the ready-to-use resources on the ArcGIS Explorer Resource Center, where you'll find basemaps, layers, tasks, and a link to the ArcGIS Explorer blog. See what's coming in the next generation of ArcGIS Explorer!
ArcGIS 9.3.1
ArcGIS 9.3.1 is on the way! It will improve the performance of dynamic map publishing and increase geographic information sharing. The software will feature an easy installation that will allow users to upgrade to ArcGIS 9.3.1 without having to uninstall ArcGIS 9.3. ArcGIS 9.3.1 is scheduled for release in the second quarter of 2009 and will be delivered to all users with current maintenance. Learn more about ArcGIS 9.3.1.
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Data News
ArcGIS Online
Have you tried ArcGIS Online? ArcGIS users will find ready access to a number of high-quality, complimentary maps and reference layers. Users can also buy subscriptions to access premium imagery (such as Microsoft Virtual Earth) and street data, or purchase and download imagery covering specific areas. Complimentary maps include world and user imagery as well as world political, street, and physical maps; shaded relief; elevation; transportation; and boundaries and places. Additional U.S. data includes population change, diversity, and household income. Anyone wanting to explore the content can do so with just a Web browser, using the Content Viewer tab. Check out ArcGIS Online!
Tapestry
Do you know what your community is like? Check out the Tapestry characteristics for your ZIP Code! ESRI's demographic analysts work through dozens of attributes and classify areas to create 65 distinct market segments. Download the Tapestry Segmentation poster [PDF] or the Tapestry Segmentation Methodology Statement [PDF] to learn more. See a statistical snapshot of your ZIP Code. Business classes can explore more ways to access and use the data with Business Analyst Online for Education.
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Support News
Mini-Lessons for Those in a Hurry
For educators seeking quick ideas about what to do with GIS in their classes, there is a deep and growing body of excellent content on the EdCommunity blog. Three software packages are richly represented:
Find EdCommunity topics quickly when you Browse by Tags for recent posts and discussions. Tags can quickly take you to topics such as data; issues such as spatial thinking or careers; or information on GPS and GIS, fieldwork, and much more. You can also subscribe to the EdCommunity RSS feed to follow new topics for the EdCommunity.
SkillsUSA National Geospatial Technology Competition
ESRI, Digital Quest Inc., and SkillsUSA are pleased to announce the Fourth Annual SkillsUSA National Geospatial Technology Competition. This contest was created to provide postsecondary students an opportunity to showcase their skills and compete for the SkillsUSA title of Best in the U.S. The competition is being held in Kansas City, Missouri, June 22 – June 24, 2009. Registration information for the contest—including details on the registration time frame and the requirements for entry—can be found at www.digitalquest.com/SkillsUSA09. SkillsUSA is also looking to establish secondary contests in individual state-level geospatial competitions. To get your school involved, contact Austin Smith (austins@digitalquest.com) at Digital Quest.
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User News
ESRI Education User Conference
The ESRI Education User Conference (EdUC) is set for San Diego, California, July 11 – 14, 2009. Are you registered yet? This year, students and educators who can't make the whole event can attend using a special one-day rate. See the registration page for more information. The EdUC overlaps the main ESRI International User Conference (ESRI UC) (July 13 – 17), so think about continuing your experience with great technical sessions, more time in the Exhibit Hall, or exploring the Map Gallery.
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Partner News
School District GIS Applications Now on the Web
Davis Demographic and Planning (DDP) is an ESRI business partner focusing on key functions that all school districts need to do: demographic forecasting, facility planning, attendance zones, and school locators. DDP has created SchoolSite, a family of ArcGIS extensions, to tackle the heavy work of redistricting and enrollment forecasting. These have also now been converted to Web-based applications using ArcGIS Server, giving small- to medium-enrollment districts the power of GIS without software installation, extensive training, or up-front data development. See SchoolSite Online.
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