By Shahabuddin Amerudin
ESRI offers a number of options for educational licenses, providing students and educators with access to its powerful GIS software at discounted prices or even for free. These educational licenses provide valuable access to GIS software, allowing students and educators to gain hands-on experience with the latest GIS tools and techniques.
Here are some of the main options:
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ArcGIS for Personal Use: This option provides students and educators with a one-year license of ArcGIS Desktop software for non-commercial, personal use. The license includes access to a range of ESRI’s core products, including ArcGIS Pro, ArcMap, ArcGIS Online, and a suite of mobile apps.
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ArcGIS for Student Use: This option provides students with a one-year license of ArcGIS Desktop software for non-commercial, educational use. This license includes access to ArcGIS Pro, ArcMap, and a range of other ESRI products, as well as access to ESRI’s extensive online learning resources.
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Campus-wide site license: This option provides universities and other educational institutions with a site license for ArcGIS software, which can be installed on all campus-owned computers. This license allows students and faculty to access the software for both research and educational purposes.
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K-12 instructional use: ESRI also offers a range of options for K-12 educators, including free access to ArcGIS Online for instructional use, as well as discounted licenses for ArcGIS Desktop software.
These educational license options provide students and educators with valuable access to ESRI’s powerful GIS software, allowing them to gain hands-on experience with the latest GIS tools and techniques. They also help to support the development of the next generation of GIS professionals, who will be able to use their skills to address important real-world challenges in a range of fields.
ESRI’s educational licenses also offer access to a range of online learning resources, including tutorials, documentation, and support forums. This can be especially helpful for students and educators who are just starting out with GIS, providing them with a wealth of resources to help them learn and grow.
In addition, ESRI’s educational licenses are available at a discounted price, or in some cases, for free. This can make the software more accessible to students and educators with limited budgets, helping to level the playing field and ensure that GIS technology is available to everyone, regardless of their financial situation.
However, there are also some potential drawbacks to ESRI’s educational licenses that should be considered. For example, these licenses may have limitations on the type of use that is permitted. Some licenses may only be available for non-commercial, educational use, which could limit the ability of students and educators to use the software for real-world projects or research.
Another potential issue is that ESRI’s software can be complex and difficult to use, especially for beginners. While the company does offer a range of online learning resources, some students and educators may still struggle to learn how to use the software effectively, which could limit its usefulness in the classroom.
Finally, it is worth noting that ESRI’s educational licenses are only available for a limited time period, typically one year. After this time period expires, students and educators may need to purchase a new license or seek out other options for accessing GIS software.
In conclusion, ESRI’s educational licenses provide students and educators with valuable access to GIS software, helping to prepare the next generation of GIS professionals and providing educators with the tools they need to teach GIS concepts effectively. However, there are also potential limitations to these licenses, including restrictions on the type of use that is permitted, the complexity of the software, and the limited time period for which the licenses are valid. Ultimately, the decision to use ESRI’s educational licenses will depend on the needs and goals of individual students and educators, as well as the resources available to them.
Suggestion for Citation: Amerudin, S. (2023). Analyzing the Pros and Cons of ESRI Education Licenses. [Online] Available at: https://people.utm.my/shahabuddin/?p=6260 (Accessed: 3 April 2023).
