Many people are unaware of what GIS is an its application in schools. The aim of the this web site is primarily to highlight the benefits of GIS and it importance in Geography as well as other subjects and in extra curricular activities. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) are a way of displaying information spatially on a computer. In its most basic form this could be adding dots onto a simple map of locations, or at its most complicated it will allow you to do complex queries comparing a number of factors to find locations which meet your specification. I hope that most people will see from this web site that Lady Hawkins' School have been using GIS effectively for 2 years and that it should be accessibly to all students for a wide range of needs.
What do you need to get started?
You do not need to spend a lot of time or money to get started. You can carry out basic GIS using free packages such as Google Earth. This software allows you to add markers or routes onto the map. You can also shade areas and overlay pictures. All this is the start of GIS and can get the students used to the principals of layers and comparing spatial features.
If you would like to take GIS further and start using commercial packages it is possible to get trial versions or to buy books which contain copies of the software with a license and lesson plans. This may take a while for you to familiarise yourself with the new packages but will allow you to keep up with curriculum changes.
Contact us to find out more about getting started with GIS and for further information or future beginners courses.
Why should we be using GIS in schools?
GIS is becoming ever more widely used in industry and at Universities. There are now very few companies without a GIS role, every one from refuse collectors to the Police are relying on GIS to make the jobs easier, quicker and more efficient.
University students are struggling to GIS in their research due to their lack of experience with packages. This is now being picked up by exam boards and the government and GIS is now an integral part of the new curriculum at KS3. GIS is also in the new GCSE and A level syllabus for many exam boards. By starting the students early we are ensuring that they have the confidence and understanding of the packages to use them to their full capability.
|
