It isn’t quite as hard as it used to be to explain what GIS is or why it would be a good thing for students to know, but this new online resource makes it even easier. The National Science Foundation has funded a project called “Advanced Technology Education Television” (ATETV). This project produces videos on different occupations and career categories using examples from community colleges, their students and recent graduates and employers. These videos can be viewed from the ATETV.org site.

IF you need help in view them, click on the “About Tab for the ATETV Guide that will help you in accessing the videos. They even allow you to Download high resolution versions of these videos or imbed them in your website! Currently there are several dealing with GIS and Geospatial including a “What is GIS” episode. You can find these easily by picking the Watch Videos tab and clicking on Categories. You will find Geographic Information Science and Geospatial Technology as two of the categories with information about GIS and careers, but several of the other videos also include references to GIS and are listed as related videos when you view the geospatial videos.

The ATETV site also also seeks your comments and suggestions, so please contact them or participate in their Blog posts and comments. This site, while primarily focused on community colleges, also includes information useful to high school students and teachers. And, if you want more information about National Science Foundation Grants and the Advanced Technology Centers of Excellence, be sure and click on the Find ATE Centers and scroll down to the GeoTech – National Geospatial Technology Center of Excellence where you will learn about support for geospatial programs at community colleges as well as see an interactive map of all U.S. Colleges and the type of geospatial program they offer.

- Ann Johnson, Higher Education Manager