Teaching Resources - ArcGIS Online for Schools

I Want To

Clear All

Resource Type

Clear All

Total resources found: 72

How to Set up a Survey123 and a Cascade StoryMap

This is a Step by Step Story Map Guide on how to start using ArcGIS Online, Create a Survey123 and a Cascade Story map. It will show you how to add a CSV file with earthquake data, create a School Transport Survey using Survey123 and present results back in a Cascade Story Map. It will also show you how to add new members into your account one by one and by bulk in a CSV file.

Get Set up with your ArcGIS for Schools Account Webinar

The webinar will run through all the steps you need to know to get your ArcGIS for Schools account set up and for you to get up and running using the software.
If you have any questions about your ArcGIS for Schools account or the webinar, please drop us an email to schools@esri-ireland.ie and we will get back to you.

ArcGIS for Schools Getting Started Lesson Pack

This is a Getting Started Lesson Pack that will help you get started using your ArcGIS for Schools account.
The pack contains a Earthquake CSV file with images, a step by step guide and a Story map Lesson guide.
The lesson pack runs you through the steps of creating and adding data via CSV file into your ArcGIS for Schools account, creating a web map and creating a Cascade Story Map.

Creating accounts for staff and students

A step by step guide to set up ArcGIS Online accounts for staff and students. This is a Powerpoint file with links to video guides.

Survey123: Develop knowledge, skills and confidence

A learning path containing short videos that introduce Survey123 and help you start using it.

Developing knowledge, skills and confidence with ArcGIS Online

A learning path containing short videos to help you get started using ArcGIS Online.

Fieldwork – mapping data from a spreadsheet

Discover how to collect and map fieldwork data from a spreadsheet using ArcGIS Online.

The importance of geography and GIS

A great introduction to the application of geography and GIS. A short video that explains how geography and GIS are applied to real world problems.

What is GIS?

A short video explaining what GIS is and how it can be used. The video runs for 60 seconds and can be used as an introduction to GIS.

Field Survey Using Survey123 Story map guide

This Story map will break down a Survey123 Field Survey lesson into 6 classes and this story map will show you how to set up your six class program plan The start of the story map will show you how to prepare for your class by setting up the Survey123 survey and then Part Two will show you how to create a Field Investigation web app for your class.

Getting Started With Community Analyst

Community Analyst is part of your school subscription to ArcGIS Online. It gives you detailed socio-demographic data that you can turn into maps at the click of a button. It also allows you to create clear, printable visualisations of that data.

Taming Open Data

Sources of free data for schools, and how to use them.

Where Harvey Hit Hardest

A detailed and sobering look at the vulnerability of communities affected by Hurricane Harvey, and what happened to some of them after the storm.

Territorial Claims of the Antarctic

Learn more about the Antarctic Treaty and its impact on Antarctica through this storymap, chronicling the history of territorial claims and active research bases.

Map Skills Questions

A series of multiple choice/fill in the blank 1 and 2 mark questions, suitable for 9-1 GCSE Geography students. Explore the maps and learn more about the different ways of representing data cartographically. These questions have been developed by the Esri UK Education team. They have not been provided or approved by the exam board.

Tropical Cyclone Exposure in the United States

MarineCadastre's storymap looking at the exposure of the United States to tropical cyclones over the past 100 years. How this data is used to inform the planning and construction of maritime infrastructure is also outlined.

The Living Atlas

The Living Atlas of the World presents maps, apps, and data layers from around the globe. Dynamic and up to date - an alternative to paper maps, including open data from major UK and international bodies.

Global Biomes Explorer App

This app allows independent exploration of data on average global temperature, precipitation, and the distribution of global ecosystems. Also suitable for use as a front of class resource for exploring the role of climate and relief in the distribution of biomes.

Global Ecosystems Explorer

This storymap introduces the key concept of a global ecosystem or biome, and includes a step by step guide to describing their distributions. Also includes practice exam questions and mark scheme for peer/self assessment.

Mexico’s earthquakes

Mexico has suffered two major earthquakes in 2017. It lies along and across late boundaries and is exposed to high degree of risk from this hazard. This map allows the user to explore the history of large earthquakes (defined as ≥M5) between 1900 and September 2017. Style and filter the data for magnitude, depth and year. Add labels and pop-ups to show quake details and plate names.

Major earthquakes in the Greece-Aegean-Turkey region

The large earthquake in the Kos-Bodrum area on July 20th 2017 highlights what an active plate boundary this is. This map presents all M5 and greater earthquakes from July 1967 to July 2017, and offers an opportunity to style by depth and magnitude, as well as to filter by any of the available attributes. Useful to explore concepts of epicentre and focus, magnitude, hazard, risk and exposure.

Old Age Dependency Ratios in Europe

This map - a choropleth - gives the user an opportunity to shade areas and filter by dependency ratio value. Data was downloaded (July 2017) from Eurostat and joined to country outlines. This gives a reasonable picture at country level of dependency rations (Over-65s compared to 15-64 yr olds - expressed per 100).
Useful in studying ageing populations and also in helping to discuss and argue for/against immigration. Use "CHange STyle" and "Filter" to gain more from the data.

Land cover in the Severn Basin

The Land Cover (Corine) dataset clipped to the watershed of the River Severn.

This very large dataset creates an opportunity to use the Filter tool and also to see how the land cover is made up (use the pop-up to see areas in hectares). It would be a good exercise for A Level students researching into the changes in land use from source to mouth.

Land Cover in Snowdonia National Park

Using the Corine Landcover dataset clipped to the Snowdonia National Park boundary, a choropleth can be created - using the Change Style option under 'Land cover.' Filtering (Filter symbol, under 'Land cover) and use of map pop-ups can help to show how much of the land is usable, and how much is marginal moorland and peat bog.

Glacial maximum coastline in Europe and Middle East – North Africa.

This map shows the coastline of Europe and Middle East-North Africa at the Last Glacial Maximum. Useful to explore the Mediterranean region and the North Sea/Baltic, as well as further afield.
This could be used to hepl investigate the question: "What impact did glaciation have on seal levels and coastlines at the Last Glacial Maximum?"

Population density in Japan

This basic map allows students to style population density data for Japan, by prefecture.

This would be a useful exercise for beginners, as the dataset is not very large and it can be manipulated easily. Use the 'Change Style' menu to select colours for 'People/km2' under 'Counts and Amounts.' Go to 'Counts and Amounts' -> 'Options' and 'Classify Data' to find the best was to present the information. Why is population density relatively low over much of Japan?

Mapping Yellowstone’s earthquakes: from 1950 to 2017

Recent large earthquakes in the Yellowstone region suggest a new active phase is underway in the Yellowstone National Park area.

This area has periods of activity and dormancy, so using the filter tool, can enable you to see active and quiet years; magnitude and depth of earthquakes and so on. Style the points by magnitude and depth. Filter for year.

Glacial erratics – origins and destinations.

Using this map the distances and directions travelled by glacial erratics can be measured using the measure tools.

Glaciation – past and present

This basic map contains information from the GLIMS dataset showing the current extent of glaciers and ice caps, and data from the University of Köln showing the best approximation of ice cover at the Last Glacial Maximum.

This map can be used to measure (use the Measure tools) extents of ice allowing a comparison between the two time points.

Glaciation – past, present and future

This story map takes a look at past and current global and local ice extents; the legacies of glaciation in terms of landforms and living in the landscape. Through a range of maps exercises, links to external web sites, questions, the impacts of glaciation from the global to regional in Britain and Switzerland, glacial erosion, deposition and the state of the cryosphere are explored through maps and images. Some prior knowledge is assumed.

Tornadoes in the US: issues in mapping and risk activity package.

Tornadoes are usually small scale events. Although not true, there is almost an element of bad luck involved in being hit by a tornado even in the worst-hit states (however defined). This StoryMap looks at normalising data, prompts students to seek ways to normalise data and to examine the nature of the risk posed by tornadoes.
Presented with questions and activities based on ArcGIS maps and other sources.

Supranational agreements in Europe

The aim of this StoryMap is to show the complexity of relationships in Europe - a sort of political game of Jenga, if you try to leave or enter.

Students could use this as a starting point for investigating the different groupings when studying governance, international relations and geopolitics.

Mapping Chile’s earthquakes

With a long coast which runs parallel to plate boundaries (name them?), Chile is exposed to a very significant earthquake hazard.

This map has the 3000+ earthquakes of ≥M5 recorded since 1950. Filter for years, magnitude, depth; or create a heatmap, style for depth or magnitude - or depth AND magnitude. Focus on populated areas. Plenty of GIS learning and exploring with this dataset.

China: province population density and cities

This map's two layers contain estimates for population density and city size from UNDESA.

Style the map's data - choropleth for population density (People/km2) and proportional symbol for city size (Pop_est). Use the 'Change Style' menu. This could be used as a starting point for investigating factors which influence population distribution.

John Snow’s cholera map from London, 1854

John Snow, from Yorkshire use basic cartography to work help identify the source of the cholera outbreak in London in 1854. He went on to become a renowned doctor, making effective use of anaethestics, administering chloroform to Queen Victoria during the birth of her eighth child.

Style the map for water pumps and deaths from cholera.

Worldwide cholera cases in 2015

The WHO data in this map shows a disease which is concentrated in - though not exclusive to - LICs.

The map can be styled by choosing 'Number' from the 'Change Style' menu. Use the filter to remove countries whose value is no zero.

World Population – uneven development

A range of maps and exercises to examine demographic patterns on a global scale.

A useful front of class or revision package, this would work at GCSE or as a refresher for A Level.

Life expectancy explorer

The data on this map allows you to explore life expectancy in 1960-65 and 2010-15 and to plot gains in life expectancy between those two times.

Go to: Contents->Life Expectancy->Change style to access the different years gain in life expectancy.

Age groups explorer

This map and its UN data allows the user to explore patterns of broad age groups (<15; 15-64; ≥65). The map makes a good starting point for exploring burdens of ageing and youthful populations different parts of the world.

Under "Contents"-> "Broad Age Groups"->"Change style" colour pallets can be accessed to map the three age groups.

Net migration explorer

Use this map and its UN data to explore patterns of net migration (immigrants-emigrants) in 1950-55, 1980-85 and 2010-15.

Accessing the data under the menu "Net Migration" -> "Change style" options lets you select different years to plot.

Crude birth rates explorer

Use this map and its data to plot three choropleths for 1950-55, 80-85 and 2010-15. Pop-ups can be configured and patterns identified and described.

High crude birth rates (measured per 1000 - ‰) are a problem in some low income countries, causing 'demographic drag.'

Health care spending and life expectancy

Health care spending varies greatly - the US being the biggest spender with little to show for it. The US spends more than two times as much per head as France (for example) but has a shorter average life expectancy.

Data from OECD. The data set is limited, but makes for very interesting study as it contains information on countries at different stages of development.

Comparing total fertility rates over time

A map comparison app which allows the user to see changes in TFR over the period 1950 to 2015. Some activities are included. They are not obligatory.

Missing migrants

Our news media would have us think that migration is a local problem. This map, based on IOM data, shows that it is a global issue. Numbers refer to 'affected' which could mean injured and/or dead.

The map can be restyled as a heatmap.

Mediterranean migrant crossings in 2016

This map has data from the IOM for 2016.
It can be styled to show as either a choropleth or proportional symbol the numbers crossing the Mediterranean and arriving in Europe.

A useful starting point for an examination of push and pull factors.

Carbon dioxide emissions 2013-15 (tonnes per capita)

This map allows the user to configure the data using the map tools. Data may be shown as proportional symbols or as a choropleth map. Different years may be selected under the "Change Style" menu.

Philippines – population at risk

This web app enable students to carry out a comparison of the distribution of hazards to see whether populations are exposed to that risk.

The hazards are volcanoes, earthquakes and tropical cyclones, and population density is shown down to province level.

World at Risk activity package

This package takes the World at Risk Story Map and encourages students to both review their knowledge and understanding of key concepts and develop discussion about the natures of hazard, risk, vulnerability and capacity to cope.

Haiti Earthquake – activity package

This activity package encourages students to investigate issues around one of the deadliest earthquakes of recent times. Some aspects of this package involve reviewing knowledge and understanding, others require higher level evaulative skills and extended writing.

Human Development Index (HDI) for UN countries

This web map of the world enables comparisons of the overall development of countries in the United Nations.

The criterion for comparison is the Human Development Index (HDI) which is a widely-recognised measure of a country's overall development.
Created by Brendan Conway @mildthing99

Nepal – Kathmandu before and after the 2015 earthquake

This Story Map uses the swipe effect to show changes which occurred in Kathmandu as result of the earthquake. Zooming in to the images reveals more detail.

Nepal’s earthquakes

The Himalyan collision zone has been the location of many major earthquakes. Nepal is a poor country, landlocked and with difficult terrain - a bad place for an earthquake to occur. While the 2015 earthquake hit the headlines, this map shows how frequent earthquakes are in Nepal. It may be further styled and filtered for depth and magnitude.

Japan’s earthquakes

Use this map to explore the power of GIS to filter and also Summarize Within - count the number of earthquakes in each Prefecture. Filtering out smaller magnitude (mag) earthquakes may yield a clearer picture.

It is possible to style earthquakes to show depth and magnitude.

World Risk Index 2016

This map - with its pop-ups - explores the notion of risk from natural disasters. Coping, adaption, susceptibility, exposure and vulnerability are used to assess overall risk.

A Storymap exploring the plight of refugees

War, sectarian violence, and famine have forced more than 50 million people from their homes—the largest number of displaced people since World War II.

This Storymap explores the global displacement of people due to conflict and natural disasters.

The hurricane risk on the Atlantic coast of the USA

This map's filter is set to 2005. Use (Edit) the filter tool to see all hurricanes in the database, or all with wind speeds (wmo_wind) of more than 100kts. Hurricane data runs from 1951 to 2016.

Coastal counties with hurricane paths crossing them are also highlighted.

Charging Up: Lifecycle of a Battery

A fascinating Storymap that explains the global story of where the raw materials for batteries are found.

It also looks at the manufacturing process and the impact on the local people where the raw materials are found.

Climate migrants

A Storymap exploring the impact of global warming and it's displacement of people.

3D Storymap of world’s deadliest volcanoes

This Storymap Journal looks at the distribution of the worlds most active volcanoes.
Explore the volcanoes in 3D and scroll through the accompanying videos, images and text.

The Philippines: a multi hazard hotspot

This map allows the user to explore three hazards - earthquakes, volcanoes and typhoons - in relation to population density (so relevant to Degg's Model).

Use the tools to style and filter data - for example wind speeds, or summarise data by area using the Analysis tools.

Growing cities: 1950 – 2010

This is a series of maps at twenty year intervals - from 1950 to 2010 tracking the size of the some of the world's largest cities.

Clicking on the city circles will reveal names and population size.

How to Combine Color and Size Effectively in Your Maps

A great blog post discussing how to use Smart Mapping in ArcGIS Online to map two variables at one point.

Elevation profile tool

An easy to use elevation profile tool to look at cross sections of the landscape.
Great for map skills and understanding landscape characteristics.
Also great for looking at subduction zones

Index of Globalisation

This map shows the Index of Globalisation, where 100 = most, and 1 = least globalised.

Using the labelling tool allows values to be added to the map.

Amenities in Kibera – an informal settlement in Nairobi

This map presents a small range of facilities and amenities which have developed in Kibera, Nairobi often described as the largest slum in Africa.

Using the 'fclass' attribute, symbols can be coloured or changed to match the facility they represent e.g. hospital, school, etc.

Urbanisation: moving to and living in cities

This resource explores aspects of urbanisation from 1950 up to and - with the aid pf projections - beyond the present day. The emphasis is on global patterns.

Map pop-ups are used reveal more information.

Urbanised populations 1995 and 2015

This resource is a swipe map for comparing urbanised populations over time.

Clicking on countries reveals pop-ups with more information and the 'swipe' element shows changes, which a dramatic for the 20 year period under consideration. Data from UN.

Dimensions of globalisation

This is a brief introduction to economic, political and social aspects of globalisation.
There are links to a small number of relevant external websites.

This would make a good starting point for further research into globalisation.

Heat mapping in ArcGIS Online

An in depth blog post from the ArcGIS Online team explaining how to create heat maps in ArcGIS Online

Earthquake data

Earthquake data from the United States Geological Survey.
Select time period that you want and download the .csv file.
Just drag and drop the file onto the map in ArcGIS Online to see the distribution, magnitude and depth of the earthquakes.

How to create flow line maps in ArcGIS Online

Learn how to create flow line or sphere of influence maps using ArcGIS Online.

ArcGIS Online – an online course for beginners

A series of five self paced lessons based on Hawaii that will get you started with ArcGIS Online.