For immediate release – Monday, July 22, 2002
For more information: Nicole Kranzler, (605) 773-3426

Pierre –South Dakota has a new geographical education initiative that will put cutting edge technology in the hands of every K-12 student in the state.

Under the program, the Department of Education and Cultural Affairs (DECA) has purchased a license that allows every school district to acquire and use the same Geographical Information Systems (GIS) software that state government uses at no cost to them. This fall, DECA and the Bureau of Information and Telecommunications (BIT) will work together to train teachers across the state to use the technology and to provide basic data that schools can use to begin their training. Some schools, including those in Rutland, Douglas, Rapid City and Spearfish, are already teaching GIS technology now.

Governor Bill Janklow says the program will further establish South Dakota as the nation's leader in school technology. "We’re using GIS in state government to analyze floods, monitor wildfires and plan road construction. These kids will use this technology in the future when they get a job. We want to teach them the basics early."

In addition to the benefits of learning the technology, GIS teaches students new ways to visually learn concepts and relationships. DECA Secretary Ray Christensen said that the program will bring a new aspect to the study and teaching of geography in schools by giving the students real-world, hands-on experience. "Our students will be learning an applied science, developing data that they can use and can share with the state government." In addition, through the use of GIS's, students' will expand their analysis, research and high-level thinking skills. Referring to geography, Christensen said, "Students will be learning by using maps, not just a single map on a page, multiple layers of different maps. They will be able to manipulate the maps to analyze the information."

A GIS uses computers to store data for features that have physical "addresses." An address can be a street address, a latitude/longitude, a legal description or even a city or county location. The computer can put the data together in "layers" that can be combined on one map to show geographic relationships. All levels of government and many private sector businesses use the technology to analyze and present complex data in an understandable format, mainly maps.

The project originated from the State GIS Steering Committee, a group of cabinet members that sets policy direction for GIS use in state government. BIT Commissioner Otto Doll, a member of the Steering Committee, says the project will provide long term benefits to the state. "GIS is a rapidly emerging technology that all students will need in their technology ‘tool kits.’ It’s an excellent way to use technology to portray information."

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