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Thinking SpatiallySpatial Thinking and GIS: A Vital Combination
The report from the National Research Council (NRC; released 2006), Learning to Think Spatially: GIS as a Support System in the K-12 Curriculum, points to the importance of instilling spatial thinking skills across subjects and into the lives of learners of all ages. GIS, as the report presents, can be significant in cultivating those skills. GIS ToolsThe Learning to Think Spatially report calls for GIS tools to be applicable to a range of learners and educational settings. "Teachers and students should not be expected to adapt to a 'one-size-fits-all' GIS…" (page 234). ESRI agrees and sees a continuum of tool capacities and interfaces as a vital part of educational user success, including 
Curricular and Instructional SupportThe report emphasizes that success with GIS in education also is tied to support systems including curriculum and teacher training. The former focuses on the critical need for customized teaching materials. The latter points to the value of workshops, training institutes, and peer-to-peer interaction in helping teachers learning to use technology in the classroom. Learn MoreThe resources below can help you get started with GIS and spatial thinking. Explore the links to the left for additional information about ESRI’s Education Programs.
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