This tutorial describes the process for downloading, unzipping, and implementing geotechnologies-based lessons published on the SpatialSci website (http://www.spatialsci.com). Necessary materials may include (depending on the lesson you select) ESRI ArcView software, Google Earth, and GPS handheld units. You will also need the WinZip software application to uncompress each lesson and its associated documents and data layers.
Step 1: Download one or more lessons from the CURRICULUM section of the SpatialSci website (www.spatialsci.com).
Lessons are available for four different content areas: Earth Science, Life Science, Physical Science, and Demography. The Lessons section of the website also contains Google Earth projects and curriculum.
· Download each file by clicking on the file name on the SpatialSci Lessons page. You will be prompted to choose a location in which to save your file.
NOTE: Each lesson exists on the website as a zipped folder that includes multiple compressed files. Lesson files must be uncompressed using the WinZip application. If your school does not have a site license for WinZip you can purchase the software or download a demo version here: http://www.winzip.com.
Step 2: Use the WinZip application to uncompress lesson files
· Double-click on the lesson file (For example, Climate_Module.zip). When the WinZip application opens choose Unzip or install from “Climate_Module.zip”
· Each lesson will uncompress multiple files into a single folder. You can choose the location on your computer to which that folder will be saved by clicking on the Select different folder button in the WinZip dialog screen. Unzip the selected folder to your GIS or data directory.
· You may also rename the folder once you have unzipped the lesson. For example, a lesson may uncompress (unzip) into a folder called Climate_Module that you have saved to the location C:/Smith/GIS. If you wish to rename the folder Climate_GIS right-click on the folder name in Windows Explorer, choose Rename, and type in the new folder name. The new path to your lesson files will now be C:/Smith/GIS/Climate_GIS.
Step 3: Repair any broken links in your ArcMap project files.
· An ArcMap project (For example, Climate.mxd) does not store GIS (data) layers within its structure. Instead, it functions as an index pointing to where each of the data layers in the ArcMap Table of Contents is stored. When ArcMap projects and associated data layers are copied from one computer to another the locations in which data layers are stored may change. For example, the ArcMap project saved in the folder C:/Smith/GIS/Climate_GIS (created in the previous step) may point to data layers in the C:/Jones/GIS/Climate_Module folder. If ArcMap can’t find the data layers when you open your downloaded ArcMap project it will display a broken link, indicated by the symbol ! in front of each data layer name in the Table of Contents pane.
· Repair each broken link by right-clicking the data layer name in the Table of Contents pane, selecting Data and Repair Data Source, and navigating to the location of the data layer on your computer.
Step 4: Try, apply, and modify our lessons in your classroom!
· These lessons have been created to assist you in integrating geospatial technologies into your classroom. Please feel free to adjust, change, or add to our lessons. We are interested to learn how you have used these lessons, and to see any changes that you have made. Let us know what worked, and what didn’t! With your help we can build a strong geospatial users community within classrooms and schools, and foster spatial literacy within our students.
· Please check back frequently for new lessons and geospatial information.