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Ask Me Anything about using geography to teach history with Rachel Hansen // November 2023

Kathy Hays

We are honored to have  join us this week for to answer your questions on using geography to help students understand history and the world around us. A Distinguished AP Human Geography educator and National Geographic Explorer, she is passionate about designing learning experiences that compel students to engage in meaningful, authentic projects in their communities, where they can build relationships that produce sustainable change the world. Rachel leads her students in using geography to take action in their own community.

As a Big History educator, Rachel has included geography in her instruction to help students understand the impact of both human and physical geography on world history.  In honor of Geography Awareness Week this month, she will answer your questions on incorporating geography skills into your history instruction.

To help get started, Rachel recommends checking out the following resources:

What questions do you have for Rachel? Here are some ideas you may want to consider:

  • What are the best ways to incorporate geography into a history course?
  • Why is it important to use geography when teaching history?
  • How can I make geography engaging for students?

Share your questions in the comments below. We look forward to exploring the world with you!

Want to learn even more about incorporating geography into your history instruction? Check out the recording of our recent OER Project Skills Clinic - Mapping History.

Parents

  • Hi,  !

    Thanks for fielding these questions, the discussion has been enlightening.

    I was wondering if you knew of any mapping software that students might use to create digital maps of their community. I know some districts have access to ARCGIS online or StoryMaps. There is also Google My Maps, but my knowledge in this area is fairly limited as to what's available. Thoughts?

Reply

  • Hi,  !

    Thanks for fielding these questions, the discussion has been enlightening.

    I was wondering if you knew of any mapping software that students might use to create digital maps of their community. I know some districts have access to ARCGIS online or StoryMaps. There is also Google My Maps, but my knowledge in this area is fairly limited as to what's available. Thoughts?

Children
  • in reply to Curtis Greeley

    Hi,  ! All K-12 schools have free access to ArcGIS Online, which is the industry standard for making online, digital maps. You can put in a request to set up a school district account here. What's nice about ArcGIS is that it allows students to layer on recent Census data and other Living Atlas layers of interesting data. 

    Google My Maps is also a fairly intuitive, user-friendly way to create digital maps of the community. You can embed images, videos, and links within the map. You can also use colors and symbols to communicate different patterns and trends.

    If you have the time to invest in setting up ArcGIS accounts and teaching students to use the tool, I think it's well worth the up-front investment. If you need something quick and easy, with minimal frontloading, then Google My Maps is the way to go!

  • in reply to Rachel Hansen

    Love, love, love this, and thanks for the quick response. I have already looked at the integration information and have forwarded to our IT department.


     do you know if I can find a fried pork tenderloin sandwich outside of Iowa on ArcGIS? RoflJoyNerd

  • in reply to Curtis Greeley

    Please reach out with any IT questions! It's an amazing tool...endless possibilities. 

    A map of fried pork tenderloin sandwiches would be a sad, yet simple one. Upside down

  • in reply to Rachel Hansen

    Thanks. With LA Unified having been held captive by hackers with ransomware last year, there is a newly discovered emphasis on what tools we can ask students to use. If we have a digital privacy agreement in place, the district will support teacher and student use. We're on the right track! Thanks again.