Dr Richard Waite, Managing Director of Esri UK, commenting on the report, said: “I welcome the Ofsted report and the spotlight it shines on the importance of geography as a subject taught in primary and secondary schools, and on the potential of GIS to enhance its teaching.
At Esri UK, a GIS software provider, we value geography and geographic skills very highly. We know that location – where things and people are - underpins the majority of decisions made by businesses every day. With GIS this geographic information can be harnessed and better decisions made.
In the wider business world an understanding of geography, both human and physical, is more important than ever. The world is becoming a smaller place, with business frequently conducted across countries and continents. Global issues such as climate change and future energy resources present challenges to us all. It is no surprise that geography graduates are more likely than most to find employment after leaving university, or that the skills acquired through the study of geography are highly valued by employers.
So the business world needs geographers. But, as the report makes clear, whilst geography is taught well in many schools, in others this is not the case.
Some of the concerns identified in the report can be addressed with GIS. For example, GIS can support the teaching of geographic core knowledge and its practice through fieldwork, provide a resource for non specialist teachers, and inspire Key Stage 3 students to continue studying geography to GCSE. GIS is a powerful teaching tool.
The Ofsted report itself refers to the “enormous potential of GIS” which is “revolutionising and extending” the experiences of a few students. But it makes clear that “most teachers are reluctant to use such technology, despite the requirements of the Key Stage 3 curriculum and examination syllabuses to teach its use.” The report therefore throws down a challenge to us.
We are already helping schools introduce GIS into the geography curriculum. In 2009 we launched our GIS for Schools Programme on a not for profit basis. Last year we became a strategic partner to the Geographical Association and have jointly developed a successful GIS CPD course for teachers. Last month we became the corporate partner to the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)’s Geography Ambassador Programme. With our support ambassadors will continue to inspire young people to study and pursue careers in geography and GIS, and indeed 22 Esri UK staff are now poised to join the programme. However, it is clear that there is still much to do.
Therefore the challenge, which I accept, is to make GIS more accessible to schools and easier for teachers and students to use. If we can do this, and if teachers are open to the opportunities that GIS offers, then GIS can add new relevance to this important subject and help address some of the issues raised in the Ofsted report. We owe it to our students and the business community.”
For further reference:
UK Businesses Call For Advanced Technology Skills To Boost Economy http://www.esriuk.com/aboutesriuk/pressreleases.asp?pid=647
For further information contact:
Sarah Webb/PR Manager
swebb@esriuik.com / 01296 745547
About Esri UK
Esri UK (www.esriuk.com) is the country’s leading provider of geographic information system (GIS) technology, helping businesses become more profitable and public service more efficient through a better understanding and analysis of location-based information. Esri UK offers an extensive range of GIS technology and professional services and is the only company in the UK providing a complete and entirely integrated GIS solution.
Esri UK has been providing GIS solutions for over 20 years to a wide range of markets including Central & Local Government, Commercial, Defence & National Security, Education, Public Safety, Utilities & Telecommunications, as well as catering for system integrators and application developers through the Esri Developer Network. Customers include Birmingham City Council, Defra, the Environment Agency, Metropolitan Police Service, Ministry of Defence, Ordnance Survey, RSA Group, Scottish Power and The Crown Estate.
The potential of GIS as an educational tool has recently been recognised, and GIS is now part of the national curriculum. Esri UK’s GIS for Schools Programme offers everything teachers need to integrate GIS into lessons: GIS software specially tailored for schools, maps and data, and both classroom and self-learning materials.
For more information about Esri UK’s GIS for Schools Programme, please visit www.esriuk.com/schools
Esri UK is part of the Esri global business network with more than 300,000 customers in 150 countries worldwide. Esri technology runs on more than one million desktops and thousands of web and enterprise servers, providing the backbone for the world’s mapping and spatial analysis.