Harnessing GIST-enabled resources in the classroom: developing a Story Map for use with secondary students

The number of K-12 educators utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is on the rise. As more tools become available, through companies such as Esri Geoinquiries, Google Maps Treks, and Esri Academy, an ever-rising number of educators employ such tools in their classrooms. This thesis provides a model that educators can use to 1) synthesize the delivery of content in tandem with GIS, 2) ensure adherence to standards-based instructional requirements while using ArcGIS Story Maps, and 3) teach secondary age students to use GIS itself. The case study on which the thesis was based was a template for an ArcGIS Story Map that can house traditional classroom content and GIS-enhanced resources while adhering to national, state, and local student learning outcome standards, as well as incrementally increasing the students? understanding and use of GIS. The course that was the case study covers eastern hemisphere geography and is taught primarily to freshman in a high school in Meridian, ID. The ArcGIS Story Map was created using the Classic Map Series template and organizes each map around a region of study in the class (e.g. the Middle East, North Africa, etc.). The content of each regional map was based on standards which are linked to student learning outcomes associated with a specific theme (e.g. culture is the thematic focus of the Middle East and North Africa unit). Enrichment content in a variety of multimedia formats was embedded within the content of each region. In addition, each successive regional map asks the student-users to utilize increasingly advanced GIS skills and proficiencies. A survey was fielded to gauge the attitudes of other educators as to the effectiveness of this approach as well as the extent to which they might adopt this approach in their own classrooms. Survey data showed that educators were receptive to this approach and were more likely to adopt it after viewing this application.