Alaska K12 GIS Distribution Center

Request Software ¦ Resources ¦  Software Specs ¦  Contact Info/Technical Assistance

Alaska is one of  the first states in the nation to provide Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software throughout its entire educational system, thanks to an unprecedented partnership agreement between ESRI, the world’s leading GIS software developer, the University of Alaska and the State’s Department of Education.  The new license will allow every public, private and charter K-12 school throughout the state unprecedented access to ESRI’s state-of-the-art GIS tools.

This is only official site in the state where you can request and receive the industry-standard software at no charge.

The Department of Labor has identified geospatial technologies (which includes GIS) as one of the top three high-growth industries.  We cannot train GS people fast enough to meet demand. DoL has created a geospatial technology competency model.  For more info, see:
http://www.geotechcenter.org/
http://www.doleta.gov/brg/indprof/geospatial_profile.cfm

Industries that utilize GIS technology:  http://www.esri.com/industries.html.

HOW TO GET THE SOFTWARE

To request the latest version of the free GIS software, click on the “Request Software” link and  fill out and submit the online request form.  Once we verify your information, we will direct you on how to either download the software you would like, or mail you a comprehensive CD containing ArcGIS 9.3 or 10.0, ArcView 3.x and outstanding desktop tools from our Juneau distribution center.

OTHER GIS RESOURCES

Browse through a list of helpful GIS sites and downloads that will provide additional information, answer questions and generally invite further exploration to enhance the classroom experience.

GIS TRAINING

For information on receiving training and technical assistance in Alaska on the ESRI and GIS, please contact: Katie Kennedy, Education and Outreach Coordinator, University of Alaska Geography Program.

Alaska’s Digital Sandbox

www.alaskadigitalsandbox.org
Alaska’s Learning Network resource database provides quality model learning objects available 24/7 for free, to all Alaskan educators.  All 54 Alaskan districts have free access to this, thanks to E2T2 funding combined with the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) grant received by the University of Alaska.

The Alaska Department of Education & Early Development works collaboratively with all educational entities in Alaska to vet quality products and provide them through iTunesU (through Alaska Association of School Boards) as well as through another national digital repository aligned to common core that Alaska is leading the charge on.  Resources (artifacts) that meet the rigorous “AKLN Seal of Approval” for quality will be posted on AKLN’s Resource page, available to all, as well as on iTunesU and other web-based places.

The work on collecting artifacts began with a statewide competition that was web-based for uploading submissions as well as judging for quality with an online score sheet tied to the National Education Technology Standards (NETS).  Awardees were announced at the Alaska Society for Technology in Education (ASTE) conference in February 2011.  Grantees then worked with AKLN staff to take their artifact model and align it with Alaska state standards and a common format for publishing in Alaska’s Digital Sandbox in July, 2011.  Thanks to the collaboration of funds from E2T2, BTOP, and ASTE, teachers were able to purchase equipment and further opportunities for their school to integration technology into core content areas.

Stay tuned for AKLN Seal of Approval quality resources available here.

Click here to download a summary of the BTOP Professional Content Review Process for educators who would like to receive individual feedback and/or hope to receive the “AKLN Seal of Approval.”