What is GIS?

 GIS (Geographic Information System) is an exciting technology which allows students to visualise, explore, question and make sense of the world around them.

A GIS comprises a computer, GIS computer software (such as ArcGIS for Desktop) and geographic information stored in a database. It provides a powerful set of tools to answer questions about different locations: not only “where”, but “why”, “how” and “what if?”

Complex geographic information can be represented as maps or graphs, allowing students to analyse the information, and see patterns and trends quickly and easily. Students can explore and investigate the relationships between places and different sets of information.

In a GIS, layers of information about places are stored in the database and can be displayed as a map. Multiple layers, representing different themes (such as aerial photography or historic maps), can be overlaid, creating a stack of layers, each of which can be turned on or off, or peeled back.

Within the classroom this allows students to see how, for example, a place has changed over time. Peeling back the layers of current and historic maps, students can see how towns have developed or the coastline has eroded.

Or, using data they have collected in the field, students can create their own databases, edit their own maps and analyse the results. A wide range of enquiry is possible, both geographic and for any subject where place or location plays a part.

Why GIS?

Teachers can:

• Integrate GIS flexibly, from the front of class or in a computer lab, for a five minute starter or an entire scheme of work
• Deliver the new Spatial Awareness geography achievement standards
• Join a community of teachers who enjoy working with GIS

Students can:

• Acquire knowledge and understand the world in ways they never have before
• Explore and analyse their world with this engaging technology
• Enjoy an inspiring learning experience with the highest quality software, maps and data
• Acquire current and relevant workplace skills
• Increase their spatial literacy (one’s ability to understand the relationship between things in a spatial sense; how they relate to each other physically)
• enhancing their ability to think critically about a huge range of issues and topics that have already been discussed

 What Can You Do With GIS?

GIS allows you and your students to analyse the world in new ways. GIS will give your students a new perspective on a range of issues such as natural hazards, economics, climate change, population demographics, biodiversity and water quality. You can use data that has been created by others or you can create your own data to conduct investigations into issues that affect your local community.

GIS is naturally suited to examining local issues and solving local problems using data that has been collected first-hand. However, there are also a range of lessons that have been developed by Esri and other teachers from around the world that allow your students to examine regions across the planet in a way they could not have done before. Check these lessons out at http://edcommunity.esri.com/arclessons/arclessons.cfm. GIS has many benefits to education and not just in the traditional realms of geography and the social sciences.