Install GIS Software

Before you begin this week's activities, please read these announcements.
  1. Good news—Everyone can attend a summer workshop! Some of you were accepted into this program and the online course with the understanding that we did not have enough spots in the summer workshop. At this time, we are now able to accommodate all of you this summer and look forward to meeting you! More details about the summer workshop will be posted soon.
  2. GIS software and licensing. We will be using two GIS programs in this course: ArcExcplorer Java Edition for Education (AEJEE) and ArcGIS. AEJEE is cross platform (runs on both Mac and Windows operating systems) and is available through a free download. AEJEE can be installed on as many computers as you need at home and at school. ArcGIS runs only in Windows. ArcGIS is not made for Mac, but will run on Mac if you have Windows capable options on your machine. Please understand that you are not required to purchase any additional software that you do not currently have. We sent all of you the ArcGIS software (even if you have a Mac) because some of you already run Windows on your Mac and some of you have access to both platforms either at home or at school. The ArcGIS software is a single seat education license that expires in one year. This summer you will be receiving a 50-seat school lab license for ArcGIS.
  3. Let us know if you received the ArcGIS software we mailed to you. As soon as possible, please complete the form at the bottom of this page to let us know if you received ArcGIS.
  4. Module 1 Review Session FAQs. We enjoyed talking with those of you who were able to attend the optional review sessions last week! We are compiling a list of frequently asked questions and responses around the topics we addressed. We will announce when these are posted in the Review 1 section.
  5. Week 5 will begin on Friday, March 12, 2010. As we indicated by email, we have delayed the start of Week 5 by one week. We are doing this so that we can provide adequate support to help you install your GIS software. Your primary facilitators for installation this week are Roger and Anita Palmer of GISetc, although all of us will be monitoring the discussion sections. Roger and Anita can be reached by email at anita@gisetc.com and roger.gisetc@gmail.com and by phone at 214-533-8376.

Word Elevation Project
World elevation data displayed in AEJEE.

Module 2 takes an map-based approach to studying Earth. In Weeks 5 through 8 of the course, you will learn to use tools and techniques for incorporating geographic information systems (GIS) data into your classroom teaching.

You will need to install at least one GIS software package. We are providing you with two options: AEJEE and/or ArcGIS. The course material in this second module is written in a parallel fashion for both AEJEE and ArcGIS, so it will not matter which program you choose to use—you will be learning the same techniques. There are slight differences with the look and feel of the interface buttons and the commands for carrying out techniques, which is why we have created parallel pages for each week. The same basic concepts will be covered for both GIS programs. For example, in Week 5 you will learn to query GIS datasets and can choose to do this in AEJEE or in ArcGIS.

If you have not already done so, complete the form at the bottom of this page to let us know if you received the ArcGIS software. Then select your platform (Mac Users or PC Users) from the left-hand navigation menu and follow the guidelines for choosing and installing a GIS software package. We encourage you to install your software as soon as possible. That way, if you run into any problems, we can help you sort them out.


Weekly Goals

  • Follow instructions to install GIS software.
  • Troubleshoot installation issues unique to your computer.
  • Provide feedback on what you are learning and the process of learning it.

This Week's Tasks

  1. Indicate if you have received the ArcGIS software that we mailed to you.
  2. Install at least one GIS software package on your computer.
  3. Post a screenshot to show that you have the software running successfully.
  4. Answer the Install GIS Feedback questions.

A Look at the Week Page by Page

Mac Users

This page provides information about downloading and installing AEJEE on a Mac and about ways to run ArcGIS on a Mac. After you have successfully installed a GIS software package, you'll take a screenshot. This is the image that you'll post to your discussion section.

This weekly activity is required and is due on Thursday, March 11, 2010.

PC Users

This page provides information about downloading and installing AEJEE under different versions of Windows operating systems and provides you with support for installing ArcGIS under Windows operating systems. After you have successfully installed a GIS software package, you'll take a screenshot. This is the image that you'll post to your discussion section.

This weekly activity is required and is due on Thursday, March 11, 2010.

Share and Discuss

This page allows you to access your discussion section and gives you the opportunity to provide us feedback.

Feedback is optional and anonymous. However, if you have time to provide feedback, you can help us better meet your needs.

Posting on Your Weekly Discussion Section Page (i.e. JSC 1, JSC 2, etc.)

Post a screenshot to show that you have successfully installed either AEJEE or ArcGIS.

This weekly activity is required and should occur no later than Thursday, March 11, 2010.


GIS Software Status Check

Let us know if you received the ArcGIS software we mailed to you and tell us if you are running any previous versions of ArcGIS. Please complete this form right away so that we can better help you this week.























      Next Page »