Better to use ArcMap or ArcGIS Pro when teaching an Intro to GIS course at the university level?

Question

I am teaching an Intro to GIS course at a local university. Looking for advice/opinions on whether it is wiser to use ArcGIS Pro as the desktop platform, or to teach using ArcMap & ArcCatalog. This class will be covering basic geospatial concepts and analysis.

JosephKerski · Answer

I have created 10 new Pro lessons, Learn Paths, and related resources, here:

10 New ArcGIS Pro Lesson Activities, Learn Paths, and Migration Reflections | Spatial Reserves

I hope that you find them to be useful!
--Joseph Kerski

DanPatterson_Retired · Answer

Since you undoubtedly have a university site license, students should be able to install a copy of ArcMap and ArcGIS Pro on their own machines.  Your site manager can set up access for students for both.  We have used that approach for quite a while now with minimal issues.

Students can simply check the link

Check your computer's ability to run ArcGIS Pro 2.5.

on the help topic page.

ArcGIS Pro 2.5 system requirements—ArcGIS Pro | Documentation

I would venture returning to traditional classes in the fall may be a challenge in some areas.

In Canada, summer courses are virtual and I am sure preparations are also being made in the event that that has to carry over into the Fall term (despite the terminally-optimistic opinions of some 'leaders')

ThomasJordan · Answer

Thanks everyone, for the helpful input! Reporting back that the virtual machines running in the university's labs were not able to handle to hardware requirements of ArcGIS Pro. I won't name names, but the university I'm teaching at is a pretty well-regarded, regional university. So, the fact that their machines couldn't handle Pro is a serious concern that instructors should be aware of. If I could do it over again, I would have tested Pro in the university's computer labs before developing my instruction plan.