First Post!

Okay, first time I have ever blogged, here goes!

I have decided to focus initially on map work but more specifically on GIS.

For starters I feel it's important to get an understanding on what on earth GIS is?

With help from Google and the Geographical Association a fantastic explanation of GIS is as follows: GIS (Geographic Information Systems) is one of the fastest growing software applications in the world. GIS is not one program and different types of GIS serve different purposes: a GIS that tracks and schedules freight on a route network is different from an environmental GIS. More than 80% of data collected can be linked to a location on the earth’s surface, so it is not surprising that GIS and mobile services are taking off. GIS really puts geography on the map!

There are three elements to any GIS: a digital map, data located on the map, and a software application (GIS) that links the two together. A simple school GIS provides display and search facilities for mapped data. More sophisticated commercial GIS functions include spatial querying and analysis, buffering and spatial modelling.

For the purpose of the blog I am giving a ‘grown up’ definition but I understand that in a classroom a teacher would choose a definition or explanation that is most suitable for the class.

I sort of already knew that GIS had something to do with maps and obviously maps have always been important and useful throughout human history. They represent and show how features are distributed geographically. Cities, roads, weather, etc but through computer programs GIS enables people to create, analyse, update and visualise different sorts of information through maps such as areas of crime, up to the minute weather locally and globally, and supermarket reward card information that would be used by retail analysts.

GIS mapping can involve many different layers of information in one place.

Whilst researching I came across this activity that could possibly be used in the classroom.

 Peeling the Onion (Reading Paper Maps in GIS Format). This activity looks at how layers of information form a GIS. Students are asked to identify maps and GIS layers on these maps.

http://www.esri.com/mapping-for-everyone/index.html

and

http://www.gis.com/implementing_gis/data/map_data.html

So that’s my first blog. A small introduction to a sizeable topic!