Geospatial Technology Portal: Instructional Resources (Web sites)
Also see Instructional Resources (in print)
Virginia Department of Education
Technology Education Service
Office of Career and Technical Education Services
Richmond, Virginia
General Resources
- Geography Matters to You Everyday
A movie that illustrates ways GIS, as an emerging technology, is already integrated throughout our daily routines, often without our knowing. - GIS.com: the Guide to Geographic Information Systems
GIS.com is a portal to GIS information on the Web and was created by ESRI, a GIS software developer. - GIS Day 2008
GIS Day is a grassroots event that formalizes the practice of geographic information systems (GIS) users and vendors of opening their doors to schools, businesses, and the general public to showcase real-world applications of this important technology. - GIS Glossaries
There are many online glossaries of GIS terms and acronyms, this site compiles some to choose from. - GIS Lounge
One-stop source for GIS. - Location Based Service—LBS Zone
Provides readers with the latest news and developments affecting LBS, GIS, and geo-spatial technologies. - Hampton Geographic Information System
The city of Hampton, Virginia, has implemented a Geographic Information System (GIS) which provides computerized property and planimetric mapping to City departments and the general public. - IDRISI Andes
IDRISI provides the most extensive set of GIS and Image Processing tools available in a single and affordable integrated package. IDRISI is the industry leader in raster analytical functionality covering the full spectrum of GIS and Remote Sensing needs from database query, to spatial modeling, to image enhancement and classification. - JMU’s National Center for Rural STEM Education Outreach: Geospatial Technology
This National Center was established by James Madison University to help teachers and students use GIS, GPS, and remote sensing, to help students build their spatial reasoning and content knowledge in STEM areas, and to provide staff development in geospatial technology. The site includes links to curriculum, resources, and information about the Center’s summer workshop. - National Geographic Maps
An interactive “map machine” and dozens of resources gathered by NationalGeographic.com. - National Atlas of the United States
The new National Atlas includes products and services designed to stimulate children and adults to visualize and understand complex relationships between environments, places, and people. It contributes to our knowledge of the environmental, resource, demographic, economic, social, political, and historical dimensions of American life. - Google SketchUp
Google SketchUp is a software tool for creating 3D models. There is a free version available for download as well as a professional version. - Virginia Geospatial Academy
The Virginia Geospatial Academy was developed by Virginia’s Geospatial Extension Program, a partnership between the Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC) and Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE), to provide “one stop shopping” for geospatial (i.e., GIS, GPS, and/or remote sensing) training opportunities being held in Virginia. It allows visitors to learn about existing workshops and training opportunities and to contact instructors for the purpose of setting up such workshops and training sessions. - Virginia’s Geospatial Extension Program
Virginia’s Geospatial Extension Program, in partnership with the Virginia Space Grant Consortium and Virginia Cooperative Extension, promotes the integration of geospatial tools and techniques at the local, regional, and state levels. See especially the links for Tools, Resources, and News and Information.
Lesson Plans and Curriculum Ideas
- ESRI GIS for Schools
ESRI has compiled a large set of K-12 GIS lesson plans. - Farm Tech Trek
A lesson plan that illustrates the ways farmers use GPS. - Institute for the Application of Geospatial Technology at Cayuga Community College
GIT-related lesson plans. - Lesson Planet: Geographic Information Systems Lesson Plans
Claims to be the largest directory of lesson plans on the Web. - Lesson Plan Resources for GIS-related lesson plans
Pools links to sites that have lesson plans related to GIS and GPS. - Mapping Our World
Links to GIS lessons for educators. - U.S. Geological Survey, Rocky Mountain Mapping Center
Teaching With Topographic Maps - 25 Ideas for Educational Lessons.
Occupation and Career Information
- Careers in GIS
Thousands of organizations in hundreds of industries are looking for individuals with formal training and practical experience with GIS. - Career Voyages: Emerging Careers in Geospatial Information
Start exploring career options—whether you are in high school, have graduated, have a vocational certificate, have a 2-year or 4-year college degree, or have knowledge and skills acquired through training centers, on-the-job training, or work experience. - GISjobs.com
GISjobs.com allows employers and job seekers to instantly post, edit, and delete resumes or classified ads using their online forms. - The GIS Jobs Clearinghouse
With hundreds of positions and resumes in their databases, the GJC has resources for both employers and those seeking jobs. - GIS Recruitment
GIS Recruiters GeoSearch, Inc. offer personnel GIS recruitment services in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Recruitment, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Photogrammetry, and many other related sciences. - Consider a Career in GIS
A description of an emerging prominent occupation in the industry. - GIS Career Resources
Recruiters, job descriptions, helpful hints on how to get and maintain a career in GIS, salary information, job site reviews, and even a personalized GIS job search function can be accessed at this site.
Research and Articles
- Industry-Specific Literature
Downloadable white papers on many topics, a great index for researching the integration of GIS.