June 3, 2008

Educators to Explore the Power of Spatial Thinking at the 2008 ESRI Education User Conference

Keynote Speaker Dr. Anne Knowles Will Discuss the Value of Geography in History Education

Redlands, California—The global education community will gather August 2–5, 2008, at the ESRI Education User Conference (EdUC), an inspirational and collaborative forum that fosters learning and sharing about using geographic information system (GIS) technology across disciplines. Educators, administrators, researchers, librarians, and museum professionals from around the world will explore how GIS software enhances teaching and understanding as well as provides innovative solutions.

The EdUC will be held in San Diego, California, at the Marriott Hotel & Marina, where Dr. Anne Knowles, professor of geography at Middlebury College, will give the Keynote Address during the conference's Plenary Session. An alumnus of Duke University and the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Knowles is also an editor of several books including Past Time, Past Place. Knowles' topic is Placing History: The Value of Geography in History Education. Her presentation will show how geospatial technology plays a key role in historical research and education.

More and more teachers and scholars are taking the geographic approach to historical periods and subjects, yielding new insights but also making the past more real and tangible for history students of any age.

"GIS in education is rapidly becoming more prolific," says Charlie Fitzpatrick, K–12 education industry solutions comanager, ESRI. "The EdUC is a way for educators to access the resources they need to better use this tool and launch or enhance their GIS projects. The educators who attend the EdUC will come away with expanded knowledge and fresh ideas to infuse their teaching and research."

Conference attendees will be able to do the following and more:

• See how GIS is being used by other educators, from user-led presentations to Special Interest Group meetings.
• Try out the technology in Computer Lab workshops and the Hands-on Learning Center and discuss the latest geospatial technology in the EdUC EXPO.
• Get updated on the latest teaching materials and customized programs.
• Network with educators from across the globe, troubleshoot technology problems with ESRI staff, and pinpoint research needs.

For more information about the EdUC, as well as the concurrently held 2008 ESRI International User Conference, visit www.esri.com/educ. If you have any questions, please call 909-793-2853, extension 3743, or e-mail educ@esri.com. The deadline to preregister for the conference is June 13, 2008.

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Press Information:
Image Available upon Request
Allyson Lawson, ESRI
Tel.: 909-793-2853, extension 1-2337
E-mail (press only): press@esri.com
General Information: info@esri.com