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- Simple answer: It's an online, browser-based GIS. Created by Esri.
- What's a GIS?
- 'Geographic Information System' – basically, software that lets maps and spreadsheets do things together.
- Most other GIS works client-side (that is, software installed on your computer); ArcGIS.com is the first example of a powerful online GIS – nothing to install, you just log in.
- What's Esri?
- Esri is a company, the world's leading provider of GIS tools. The term started as an initialism (Environmental Science Research Initiative) but is now just a term.
- Esri is a logical place for teachers to look when integrating GIS (and geospatial tools in general) to their classroom. Among other things, they provide free access to ArcGIS.com for K-12 schools. From that same source: "Every public, private, home school, and youth-serving club is eligible."
- What's a GIS?
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