This past fall, a new GIS for Educators online graduate certificate program was added to the schedule at the Geography Dept., Eastern Michigan University . The program has been written for K–12 teachers specifically with a focus on what teachers need to know in GIS.  The certificate addresses classroom concerns and implementation of GIS and adapts teaching methods to include GIS into K–12 classroom curriculums.

About the program:

Eastern Michigan University offers a fully online graduate certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for educators. The program has been written for K–12 teachers specifically with a focus on what teachers need to know in GIS to include this exciting application into their classroom activity. If you later decide to pursue a full degree, all of the credits you earn with the certificate can be applied toward a master’s degree in earth science education at EMU.

Through EMU-Online, students can learn virtually anywhere, anytime and take advantage of our online registration, discussions, homework and examinations

Career Opportunities
The Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems for Educators focuses on the professional and effective use of GIS in the classroom by teachers. Students who complete this program will be able to:
• provide a rationale for using GIS in the educational process,
• integrate GIS technology into instructional programs,
• identify contributions of major leaders in the field of GIS and the affect each leader has had on the field,
• assess current trends in the GIS area and relate the trends to past events and future implications,
• teach the operation and various uses of GIS, and
• evaluate the effectiveness of GIS in classroom curricula.

The mission of the Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems for Educators is to prepare professionals capable of facilitating student learning in a variety of settings. The program is
designed to provide students with both the knowledge base and the application skills that are required to use GIS effectively in education. Focusing on the design, development, utilization, management and
evaluation of instructional systems moves us toward achieving this mission.

http://www.ce.emich.edu/gis/index.html

http://www.emich.edu/public/geo/welcome.html