Unit 3: Web-based Geographic Information Systems in the Classroom
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Guiding Questions
How does GIS support learning in the secondary classroom?
How can GIS facilitate subject-specific learning outcomes?
What are the barriers to utilizing GIS in the secondary classroom?
Introduction
In this unit, participants will investigate how GIS can support inquiry-based learning in the secondary classroom. Inquiry-based learning is an educational strategy utilizing a constructivist approach to knowledge building whereby students follow methods and practices similar to those of professional scientists (Keselman, 2003; in Pedaste, et al. 2015). Participants will review the basic tenets of knowledge building, inquiry learning, and how technology/GIS can support both; they will then engage with and discuss the role of GIS in the secondary classroom through subject-specific case studies. Finally, participants will continue to work on their course projects by completing a draft learning activity plan. *Note: Participants will need a Google Account to access some course materials and forms.
Objectives
At the conclusion of this unit, participants will be able to: Explain how GIS can support inquiry-based learning; Discuss knowledge building in the classroom; Demonstrate how GIS can be utilized in subject-specific contexts, and Complete a draft plan for a GIS-based learning activity.
Lesson 1: GIS and Inquiry-based Learning
An inquiry-based learning approach enables students can discover new causal relationships by formulating hypotheses and testing them by conducting experiments and/or making observations (Pedaste et al, 2015). In this lesson, participants will investigate the fundamentals of knowledge building, inquiry, and how GIS is used to support these practices.
Activity 1: Knowledge building. To contextualize an instructional approach emphasizing inquiry, participants will investigate the importance of knowledge building in the classroom by viewing the following videos. Participants should write down some notes/thoughts to use to reflect on how they support or plan to support knowledge building in their classrooms.
Video #1 - Knowledge Building Helps Classrooms Grow
Video #2 - Knowledge Building Empowers Students
Video #3 - Embracing Technology
Activity 2: GIS and Inquiry-based learning. Participants should take down notes on the content in the following lecture to prepare them for the Unit Quiz (see Assessment). Mini-Lecture #4 File:Inquiry-based learning Mini-lecture 4.pptx.
Lesson 2: GIS in the Classroom
In this lesson, participants will assess the role of GIS as a technology in the secondary classroom. First, participants will review the role of GIS in schools and then explore a subject-specific example of GIS in the secondary classroom. Next, participants will engage with GIS-specific case studies and discuss how GIS can be used to support learning.
Activity 1: GIS in school. Participants should view this short video on GIS and Schools and then read the following article on how GIS can be utilized in the classroom: How to Use Geographic Information Systems in School. Participants should take notes on the main aspects of GIS use in the classroom and the role that technology plays in school curricula.
Activity 2: Subject-specific GIS. To begin, participants should view this video example of GIS in a subject-specific setting: English Language Arts Teacher Teaching with GIS in a High School Classroom. After reviewing the categories and their contents, participants are to analyze two case studies for discussion. Specific directions and the case studies can be found on the Case Study Lesson wiki page linked here: Case Study Lessons.
- Supporting materials on the use of GIS in the classroom can be found in the References and Resources section below.
Lesson 3: Course Project Activity Draft
In this lesson, participants will draw upon their experience with ArcGIS Online and ESRI's GeoInquiries platform, and what they have learned, discussed, and reflected upon so far in this course, to draft their Learning Activity plan.
Activity 1: Putting GIS in the classroom. To begin, participants should read the following article: File:Introducing GIS in the Classroom - A Process Framework.pdf, which outlines some best-practices to model when developing a GIS-based learning activity. Next, participants should review this template File:Mini-Course Learning Activity Plan Template.pdf as a model their own activity plans.
Activity 2: Draft a plan. Participants will view presentation on how to create a GIS-based learning tool for any discipline: File:Teach your Students in Less Than 19 Minutes With a Quick tool for any Discipline.pdf and then revisit the GeoInquiries Collection to select an example lesson to adapt or model their own learning activity plan upon (participants may use a lesson they discussed in Unit #2). Please review the recommended steps for completing a draft on the Course Google Doc under Unit 3: Lesson #3 before posting.
- GeoInquiries support and related ESRI educational resources can be found in the References and Resources section below.
Assessment
In this unit, participants will be assessed based on the following:
Lesson #1: Activity 1 - Reflection: How do you support knowledge building in the classroom? Submitted to the Course Google Doc under Unit #3: Lesson 2 for comment and complete the following quiz: Unit #3 Quiz.
Lesson #2: Activity 2 - Case study analyses and Discussion, posted to the Course Google Doc under Unit #3: Lesson 2.
Lesson #3: Learning Activity plan drafts, posted to the Course Google Doc under Unit #3: Lesson 3 (feedback provided via email).
References and Resources
ESRI Schools Website for Educators
Pedaste, M., Mäeots, M., Siiman, L. A., De Jong, T., Van Riesen, S. A., Kamp, E. T., ... & Tsourlidaki, E. (2015). Phases of inquiry-based learning: Definitions and the inquiry cycle. Educational research review, 14, 47-61.
The Top Ten Benefits of using GIS in Education
Why Teach and Learn with GIS and GPS in Schools?
Next Steps
Follow this link to: Unit 4
Return to: Course Homepage.