GIS in K-12 Education. An ESRI White Paper.

Geographic information systems (GIS) consist of robust hardware, software, data, and a thinking operator. Together, they provide powerful tools for automated cartography and extensive analysis of information about places. Recent improvements in computer hardware and software allow the powers of GIS to move effectively and affordably into the precollege arena. Schools can take advantage of the "new geography" in many ways, in a variety of grade levels. This document is divided into three parts. Part 1 defines GIS and describes the components of the system. Part 2 discusses issues of incorporating GIS in education at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. The Adopt-a-School program, a collaborative effort to bring the ArcView GIS tool and basic data into the classroom, is also described. Part 3 focuses on the methodology for and challenges of bringing GIS into the classroom and discusses benefits of both individual and group learning. Appendices include: hardware enhancement options; basic ArcView skills; standards in education; data sources; and strategies for acquiring hardware. (AEF)