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Putting GIS in its place Securing the use of geotechnologies in UK schools Mary Fargher Institute of Education University of London.

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Presentation on theme: "Putting GIS in its place Securing the use of geotechnologies in UK schools Mary Fargher Institute of Education University of London."— Presentation transcript:

1 Putting GIS in its place Securing the use of geotechnologies in UK schools Mary Fargher Institute of Education University of London

2 Frequently cited advantages of using geographic information systems Flexible access to high quality geo-data Flexible access to high quality geo-data Powerful spatial tools Powerful spatial tools Real world work skills Real world work skills Academically motivating Academically motivating Raises profile of geography Raises profile of geography Encourages spatial querying Encourages spatial querying Suited to problem-solving Suited to problem-solving

3 GIS Barriers in UK schools Perceived steep initial learning curve for students & teachers Perceived steep initial learning curve for students & teachers Costly training Costly training Real and perceived lack of appropriate teaching materials Real and perceived lack of appropriate teaching materials Lack of curriculum guidance Lack of curriculum guidance Perceived as the territory of the ICT innovators only Perceived as the territory of the ICT innovators only

4 Growing body of evidence of the pedagogical benefits of using GIS Growing body of evidence of the pedagogical benefits of using GIS Range of geographically-related information in one place can help teachers inject pace and variety into lessons Range of geographically-related information in one place can help teachers inject pace and variety into lessons Higher level critical querying skills which move us away from simple question & answer lessons Higher level critical querying skills which move us away from simple question & answer lessons Potential of web-enabled GIS allowing students to access data at home Potential of web-enabled GIS allowing students to access data at home Students as decision makers and data creators Students as decision makers and data creators High quality visualisation High quality visualisation Potential to produce maps of a professional quality Potential to produce maps of a professional quality Using GIS-generated maps across the curriculum Using GIS-generated maps across the curriculum Can take place on an individual PC, an IWB or in a networked suite Can take place on an individual PC, an IWB or in a networked suite Fixes powerful significance to specific locations in students minds Fixes powerful significance to specific locations in students minds

5 An example of effective GIS : The Durham Schools Mapping System Won the Association for Geographic Information (AGI) award for Innovation in 2003 Web-enabled cross-curricular GIS via a curriculum extranet (CNET) Over 300 schools Cross-curricular Designed for GIS ‘beginners’ & ‘innovators.’ http://gis.durham.gov.uk/mapping

6 Some ideas for cultivating proactive approaches to getting GIS effectively into classrooms Building GIS industry partnerships e.g. the Durham Schools Mapping System Building GIS industry partnerships e.g. the Durham Schools Mapping System Capitalising on current expertise by connecting current GIS innovators with GIS beginners via networks Capitalising on current expertise by connecting current GIS innovators with GIS beginners via networks Working the ‘wow factor’ - Google Earth can work to our advantage! Working the ‘wow factor’ - Google Earth can work to our advantage! Start simple e.g. Mapping Our World (ESRI) Start simple e.g. Mapping Our World (ESRI) Incorporate web-enabled GIS e.g. InfoMapper Incorporate web-enabled GIS e.g. InfoMapper Establish a dual GIS implementation route - via Geography & across the curriculum Establish a dual GIS implementation route - via Geography & across the curriculum Develop a continuing professional development (CPD) qualification in GIS-assisted teaching skills Develop a continuing professional development (CPD) qualification in GIS-assisted teaching skills Avail of online GIS training e.g. ESRI Avail of online GIS training e.g. ESRI Plan for future GIS-assisted geography curriculum development e.g. Institute of Education (University of London) and Geographical Association (GA) combined project on the 2012 London Olympics. Plan for future GIS-assisted geography curriculum development e.g. Institute of Education (University of London) and Geographical Association (GA) combined project on the 2012 London Olympics.

7 Some useful weblinks 1. http://gis.esri.com/industries/education/arcles sons/arclessons.cfm http://gis.esri.com/industries/education/arcles sons/arclessons.cfm http://gis.esri.com/industries/education/arcles sons/arclessons.cfm 2. http://gis.durham.gov.uk/mapping http://gis.durham.gov.uk/mapping 3. http://gisvision.ibsystems.com/casestudy/sas %20full.php. http://gisvision.ibsystems.com/casestudy/sas %20full.php. http://gisvision.ibsystems.com/casestudy/sas %20full.php. 4. http://rockyweb.cr.usgs.gov/public/outreach/ mapmys.html http://rockyweb.cr.usgs.gov/public/outreach/ mapmys.html http://rockyweb.cr.usgs.gov/public/outreach/ mapmys.html

8 Thank you for listening…. Any questions? Mary Fargher Institute of Education University of London mgfargher@hotmail.com


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