Publisher questions for book adption

[ShareUser]

I would like to adopt the new book that ESRI released, Top 20 Essential Skills for ARCGIS Online, for an intro class. I have emailed the publisher, Ingram, several times to ask adoption questions with no reply. Vital Source--the etext provider--only gives FAQ info. Does anyone use this as a textbook? How did you go about adopting and getting all of the students set up with ESRI accounts and codes? This is the first time in my teaching career that I've had to pursue a publisher for info on how to use their book. Thanks!

[ShareUser]

Hi Tracy,

Thanks for your interest in the book!

You can find more information about access to a sample or desk copy here.

Codes for a Student Use license are provided for students in the USA who buy a new hardcopy book or buy or rent an ebook from VitalSource. At the beginning of the book there are instructions on how to redeem the codes, you may want to walk students through that in the first class and help them redeem their code and setup their org, but they may be able to do that on their own.

This license, plus the easy to follow instructions and screenshots should make a good resource for teachers who want to introduce students to Web GIS via ArcGIS Online. Most chapters should take about 45 mins to complete and don't require any prior knowlege. You can pretty much pick and choose any of the chapters you want (students don't need to go from 1-20), they are generally broken up in to two tutorials, so they are easy to follow. 

Let me know if you have any more questions!

Craig

[ShareUser]

Thanks, Craig. One more question-how would you suggest I go about having each individual student share the results of their tutorials with me? Does each tutorial end with a shareable URL or should I create a Group with each student? I know they will be part of the book Group after chapter 1. I thought about creating a whole class Group, however, in terms of completion, I do not want students to be able to access each other's work early in the class.

[ShareUser]

Since it sounds like they will probably all have their own organizations, I would recommend having them join one group that you setup, just adjust the setting (in the beginning of the semester) to limit people to only be able to see their own content. Most of the tutorials do say to share the content publicly, but you could remind them to share to your group, as well. Alternatively, you could have them share publicly and then send you the url of their work. Good luck with the class!

[TracyKnowles]

Craig, If I want to complete the tutorials as well (so that I can best evaluate the students' final products), should I follow the same instructions the students did with the code on my book (create a separate public account and redeem the code). I tried searching groups (outside of my org) for the TOP 20 group to join it but it did not appear in the search. Thanks!

[Craig_Carpenter]

Yep, it you want to replicate the student's experience, you can use the code too. To find the group, make sure you search for the full name and have selected "Groups". 

[TracyKnowles]

Two of the students have hit a problem that looks to me like a user type or privileges issue. They purchased the code from VitalSource and followed the instructions published for set up (the other 12 students who followed the same instructions all have full functionality and are not having these issues).  Tutorials for chapters 3,14 they are supposed to add a feature layer but when they access that add new item menu they only have 2 choices URL or Application. The other 4 options including the Feature Layer button are not there. Also, they have just started chapters 8, 12 and there is no analysis tab in their toolbars (see screenshot below). Suggestions? Thanks!

[Craig_Carpenter]

Hi Tracy,

It sounds like they aren't using the right account type, I just sent you a DM with a solution.

Craig