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7 mappy things to try in 2022

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Author Angela Alexander

To celebrate the end of 2021, we’ve come up with a list of ArcGIS items for    K-12 educators to try in the new year! Implement at least one of these mappy items in your teaching in 2022.

As a new year is on the horizon, we’ve come up with a list of 7 things to try in 2022. They range from ArcGIS software, apps to data. They will increase your knowledge of the ArcGIS tools you have access to, allowing you to integrate more spatial technology into your lessons and projects.

Use all or some of these items in 2022 to make student learning more exciting and relevant. Many of these tools are used by GIS professionals globally:

  1. Go 3D with Scene Viewer

If you are using ArcGIS Online, why not try the Scene Viewer? With this app, you can visualize your data and analyze geographic information in an intuitive and interactive 3D environment. You can choose between a global or local scene to best display your data, such as airline flight patterns, school facilities, or underground utilities. A scene is similar to a map, but it combines 2D and 3D data to add dimension, create context, and display the features from all angles. Explore the Scene Viewer in six short activities.

Image of a globe showing the prominent lines of latitude and longitude.

Integrate the Scene Viewer in your class activities.

  1. Ask for ArcGIS Pro

    ArcGIS Pro is the latest professional desktop GIS application from Esri that allows you to explore, visualize, and analyze data. You can also create 2D maps and 3D scenes and share your work to ArcGIS Online.

    Email us at k12@esri.ca to get access to ArcGIS Pro.

    Get started with the following tutorials:

  1. Discover Data with Dashboards

A dashboard allows you to view geographic information and data, monitor events, make decisions, and see patterns and trends. Multiple visualizations can be displayed that work together on a single screen.

Use the Create ArcGIS Dashboards tutorial to learn how to create an ArcGIS Dashboard using data on ArcGIS Online or data you have collected using a survey (Survey123).

  1. Explore the Living Atlas

The Living Atlas is a repository of data, web maps and apps. You can also access this collection of data from the ArcGIS Online Map Viewer. Find out how in this Discover Data tutorial.

  1. Get Collaborating with Survey123

    Survey123 is a form-centric data collection tool that allows you to transform paper forms into “smart” forms. Find out how you can get started and discover how teachers have used it for collaborative class projects.

    Use the following resources to learn about Survey123:

An image showing 2 kids engaged in collecting data on a phone.

Use this ArcGIS Survey123 in Action resource to get started on your journey to creating your own data collection project

  1. Master the New Map Viewer

    Watch this video to learn more about the New Map Viewer and try it out on your own!

    In this video, you will see the look of the new Map Viewer and some of its features.

    Here are other resources to check out:

Note: Analysis tools are currently only supported in the Map Viewer Classic (formerly known as Map Viewer)

A map showing imagery data with orange points showing trees.

Try the new Map Viewer to explore the interface enhancements

  1. Take your Story Maps to the next level
    Use this resource to learn how to make your storytelling more engaging and interactive using Story Maps.

New to ArcGIS Online?

If you are new to ArcGIS Online, educators can request an account at k12.esri.ca/#access.

Check out the following beginner resources to get started with ArcGIS Online:

Don’t forget that you can request a GIS Ambassador
GIS Ambassadors are professionals who use GIS in their work or are higher education students studying it in school. They are keen on supporting the use of GIS in K-12 education and want to engage Canadian youth in learning how GIS can help them to develop a deeper understanding of the world around them.

A GIS Ambassador can help you get started with GIS by facilitating a workshop for your colleagues or students. Request one today for your class.

Have a safe and happy holiday season!

This post was translated to French and can be viewed here.

About the Author

Angela Alexander is a K-12 Education Specialist in the Esri Canada Education and Research group. She has over 15 years of experience working with educators across Canada. Angela focuses on producing geographic information system (GIS) and curriculum-specific resources, and conducting and creating custom workshops for educators. She manages the GIS Ambassador Program and is the Technical Chair for the annual Skills Ontario GIS competition. Angela also writes monthly posts for the Esri Canada Education and Research blog, highlighting K-12 educators and partners, new ArcGIS resources and GIS-related events.

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