If you are a friend of ESRI’s GeoInquiries, this might be for you, as things have changed. If you do not know what they are, they are worth investigating.

WHAT IS AN ESRI GEOINQUIRY?

Veterans of ESRI’s beloved GeoInquiries know these as a set of 15-20 interactive, web-based maps designed to enhance learning in various subjects through the use of geographic information systems (GIS). These GeoInquiries are typically structured around a specific theme or topic and integrate maps and spatial data analysis to provide a dynamic and more hands-on learning experience. Basically, it gets kids to work with maps – which everyone loves. They don’t take much time to complete either in class, as a group, or as a homework assignment. If you don’t know who ESRI is, they are basically the industry standard for mapping software. They are Adobe, but for maps.

For those of you looking for the GeoInquiries of yesteryear, they are basically retired or becoming defunct on old ESRI platforms. You can now find them on National Geographic’s MapMaker 4.0 (hosted on ESRI’s ArcGIS). So, you will need to redirect yourself to the new website, where they are hosted on an ESRI StoryMap. If you want to access the old ones (Version 1), it might require logging in to the ESRI platform, though they weren’t even opening for me on Safari or Chrome. ESRI’s Geoinquiries Version 2 still appears to open without a login. 

WHAT IS NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC’S MAPMAKER 4.0?

In July of 2023, the Chief Education Officer at National Geographic, Dr. Deborah Grayson, introduced NatGeo’s latest version of their MapMaker software for education. (Click to watch Video)

“Mapmaker 4.0 is not just a tool for mapping; it’s a gateway for young minds to understand and connect with the world around them. Our partnership with ESRI in creating this platform is a testament to our commitment to educational excellence and fostering a new generation of geographically literate individuals.” (Dr. Deborah R. Grayson: National Geographic Society, 2023.)

NatGeo’s Mapmaker 4.0 leverages ESRI’s online Arc platform to create a more user-friendly experience for everyday users. The MapMaker 4.0 platform has brought ESRI’s Geoinquiries under its wing, housing them all on an ESRI Storymap. Each GeoInquiry within this platform is equipped with a teacher’s guide, an interactive map with preloaded layers, a vocabulary list (Google Doc), web-based self-check quizzes for students (multiple choice), word search and crossword puzzles (meh), and digital push worksheets and maps for Google Classroom users. 

Mapmaker 4.0 has done a nice job of making things more user-friendly. Switching to a 3D Globe view? Check. Exporting maps to PDF? You got it. Measuring and saving maps? Easy-peasy, as long as you remember your ESRI educational account details. 😬

BUT NO TOOL IS PERFECT

And Mapmaker 4.0 is no exception. As of January 2024, the platform offers about 25 map layers for Human Geography and 50 in total for all other academic areas. It appears as though the 25 layers for Human Geo are the ones originally tailored specifically to the Geoinquiries – leaving us wanting more. The layers are great, but unless using one of the preexisting Geoinquiries, MapMaker 4.0’s layer library appears a bit random with its options, especially for Human Geography, i.e. 1988 Yellowstone Wildfire Perimeters, and Asylum Seeing Origins that only gives information for five countries instead of all 200. More layers are needed, not to mention ones with global data. So far, the existing 50 only scratches the surface of MapMaker 4.0’s potential, though I am optimistic, as they appear to have empty categories eagerly awaiting layers, including Activities, National Geographic Explorers, and Sustainable Development Goals. These categories promise educators content and educational possibilities, yet their current absence is a missed opportunity. I hope they update these quickly before their shiny toy loses its luster, though I haven’t seen much movement since its rollout.

via GIPHY

At this stage, it’s also important to note that the more advanced Level 2 Human Geography Geoinquiries from Version 2.0 are not yet available on the Mapmaker 4.0 platform. 

These include:

1. Time or Distance
2. Language and Religion: The Diffusion of Islam
3. Farming: Can you Believe it?
4. Urban Distribution and Density
5. Range: Why Hexagons?

MY WISHLIST

To any ESRI or NatGeo person working in their education departments (we can hope there is a teacher in there listening)…

1. More maps, please. We need more maps extending past the preloaded ones from your previous GeoInquiries. 
2. Level 2 GeoInquiries: We still await the advanced Level 2 Human Geography GeoInquiries on MapMaker 4.0.
3. Continuous updates and expansions: Oddly, this is a blessing and a curse since ESRI seems to change its platforms continuously, and it is enough to drive a person mad. Hopefully, hooking up with NatGeo will force some consistency for a while. 

Hopefully, National Geographic and ESRI didn’t just set up another awesome platform just to lead us to the land of broken technology dreams and fail to update or maintain their shiny new platform. After a big educational roll-out, I’ve seen too many online software platforms turn to digital dust. As it is, new ESRI GeoInquiry content has not been added since before the pandemic. Will National Geographic and ESRI keep updating and maintaining this platform, or will it end up in the digital graveyard next to MapQuest? 

With all of this said it is my hope that Mapmaker 4.0 evolves into a staple tool in geography education. The success of this platform will depend on the continuous effort from National Geographic and ESRI to expand, update, and enrich its content and capabilities. 

REFERENCES

Dr. Deborah R. Grayson: National Geographic Society. (n.d.). [Video]. In Esri Videos: GIS, Events, ArcGIS Products & Industries. Retrieved January 14, 2024, from https://mediaspace.esri.com/media/t/1_oz7gw61t

GeoInquiries for human geography. (n.d.). Inquiry-Based Activities. Retrieved January 14, 2024, from https://www.esri.com/en-us/industries/k-12-education/geoinquiries/human-geography

GeoInquiries for map viewer. (2023, December 21). Esri. https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/30705ecefb914daf838945b0d6d7eac0

MapMaker launch guide. (2023, September 5). National Geographic Society. https://www.nationalgeographic.org/society/education-resources/mapmaker-launch-guide/