Staff Development
&
Courses

The First & Only ESRI K-12 Authorized Teaching Program In Illinois

Since 2000, we have been working on the best ways of bringing GIS & GPS to schools, teachers and students. Having field tested the classes on several occasions, two things developed from the training. One was the need for more classes for different entry levels to GIS and GPS. The second was more hands on time in doing both GIS and GPS activities during the classroom instruction.

The classes below are the ones we have in place with more planned as well. We tried to make these activities something teachers can pull off the shelf and use when needed. We have developed multi-chapter manuals with step by step procedures with pictures, data on CDs, and activities that can be done when needed. We feel that the NEW approach will make these technologies easier to bring to students and the classroom. Check out the past classes from 2007 or 2008 or 2009 or 2010 or 2011!

The GIS 2 GPS Team
Illinois Professional Development Provider
College Graduate Workshop Credit is through Quincy University
Quincy, Illinois

What Our Classes Have To Offer!



Please contact us about arranging classes for your area or school.
We are also working on different locations to offer them this coming school year.
Classes so far in place:


Have GPS Will Travel - 1.0 Semester Hour
Introductory Class to GPS and GPS Units

This class is a hands on introductory level class to GPS units. It is designed for all K-16 educators who wish to learn what GPS is and how to use it as a tool with their students in the classroom. Teachers will learn what GPS is, how to work with a GPS unit, initialize it, program it, collect data, enter data, clear data and how it is used in the real world and why it is important in education. Topics like Geocaching and Scavenger Hunts will be covered and experienced in the class. Also what is possible with GPS data will be explored and demo in terms of mapping. No prior GPS or computer experience is necessary. GPS units will be provided for use.


GIS Introductory Class - 1.0 Semester Hour
(Geographical Information System) and On-Line GIS Resources


This class is an introductory class for all K-16 educators who wish to learn what Geographical Information Systems, GIS, is and how to use its related resources with their students in the classroom. Teachers will learn what GIS is and why it is important in education. This class will provide teachers with basic GIS knowledge, exposure to Internet interactive applications related to GIS and an introduction to ArcVoyager software. No prior GIS experience or computer skills are necessary; however, basic Internet skills are recommended.


GPS2GIS Class - 2.0 Semester Hours
The Direct Approach to GIS, GPS and Mapping with GPS

This class is a fast approach to both GIS and GPS for K-16 educators who want a direct approach to using GIS, GPS and its related resources with their students in the classroom. Teachers will learn what GIS and GPS are about, why it is important in education, and ways of implementing this technology into their school curriculum. The first part of the class will provide teachers with basic GIS knowledge and how to work with free ArcVoyager software in the classroom. Hands-on activities, GIS software and GIS data will be provided - (total set of TIGER data for all 102 counties of ILL) - which they can use in their classroom. The second part of the class will provide teachers with the basic concepts of GPS, how to use the GPS unit, collect data and then use the results with a GIS application. No prior GIS or GPS experience is necessary; however, the following computer skills are required. Making folders, moving files from the CD to a specific folder, and navigating folder structure. Helpful but not required: experience using Microsoft Excel.


GIS Fundamentals Class - 2.0 Semester Hours
GIS Software and On-Line GIS Resources

This class is a full circle approach to GIS and is for all K-16 educators. It is particularly for those that wish to learn how to use GIS and its related resources with their students in the classroom. Teachers will learn what GIS is, why it is important in education, and ways of implementing this technology into their school curriculum. This class will provide teachers with basic GIS knowledge, how to work with ArcVoyager software in the classroom, and explore Internet interactive applications related to GIS. Teachers will also receive curriculum materials, 2 CD set of data and software. Teachers will learn to build a GIS project from scratch using the Illinois DNR data set, which they can also use in their classroom. No prior GIS experience is necessary; however, basic computer skills are recommended.


GPS Introductory Class - Mapping With GPS - 1.0 Semester Hour

This class is an introductory level class for all K-16 educators who wish to learn what GPS is and how to use it as a tool with their students in the classroom. Teachers will learn what GPS is, how it is used in the real world and why it is important in education. This class will provide teachers with the basic concepts of GPS, how to use the GPS unit, collect data and then use the results with a GIS applications. They will also learn how to import and export data to and from the units. Additional topics like Letterboxing and geocaching will be covered and experienced in the class. No prior GPS experience is necessary; however, basic computer skills are recommended. Prerequisite: GIS Fundamentals Class.


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