Raising achievement in Geography

Adding value with GIS

Dave Hassell, Associate Director, Becta

Adding value to geography

ICT must add value - it can offer a safe non-threatening environment access to resources /data /information a way of making difficult ideas more

concrete options for encouraging analytical and

divergent thinking opportunities for extending communication

- between people and of ideas

Why now? or Why at all?

The use of ICT and GIS in society The changing climate for ICT

KS3 vs subject activity Technological development

– NGfL and Curriculum Online– increasing quality of equipment– more appropriate software– access to data, both map and other

attribute data e.g. statistics

The change in expectations for higher order skills

Geography and GIS

Fundamentally about spatial relationships

GIS can help students question and understand

data enable multiple interrogation of

complex data illustrate difficult abstract concepts in a

dynamic visual way use 3D representations provide opportunities for modelling and

decision-making

GIS approaches

Mapping information Searching and analysing spatial data

– Internet based mapping– Integrated GIS functionality

Field or project work– Full GIS software– GPS

Examples Safe journeys to school Enquiries using existing data Locational and planning issues Fieldwork analysis

Simple mapping

Simple mapping

Web-based systems

Web-based systems

Web-based systems

Web-based systems

Web-based systems

IntegratedsystemsRiverside Explorer

Thematic mapping

Projectwork

LEA/RBC

SWGfL

GIS on legs

GPS (maybe with computer/PDA)

can be used to change perspective of the landscape

– A - to relate data/information to reality– B - to analyse relationships

record information develop a view of a landscape ensure people know where they are

GPS & Route Mapping

PDA GPS and mapping

Evaluating ICT activities

Non trivial and enhancing

Effective means of delivering outcomes

Efficient use of time

Opportunities for evaluation and reflection

Learning in ICT & Geography

There are issues

Cost of packages Finding appropriate software Access to relevant data

– the whole range, map and other data

Access to digital data and copyright issues

Training for users The need to share practice so we do

not all reinvent the wheel

The future

Imagine a device with GPS rugged e.g. waterproof appropriate software linked seamlessly to computers at

school a wide range of data - all sorts wireless connectivity telephone possibly other data capture

– camera– temperature – data logging

ICT is integral to Geography

The challenges for education

What role does the use of ICT in society have for schools? and how is it integrated?

Finding a realistic place for GIS in the curriculum

Effective links in examination subjects Raising awareness in the profession Providing access to good practice and

disseminating it What do you need to do to make a

difference?

What should you do

DON’T re-invent the wheel!

Using existing ideas– LEAs, e.g. Staffordshire– Becta and QCA– OS, etc.

Share what you find works– GA publications– LEA/RBC communities– Teacher Resource Exchange

Contact details

BectaMillburn Hill RoadScience Park Coventry CV4 7JJ

Telephone: +44 (0)24 7641 6994Facsimile: +44 (0)24 7641 1418Email: david.hassell@becta.org.uk

Becta http://www.becta.org.ukICT Advice http://www.ictadvice.org.ukTRE http://tre.ngfl.gov.uk

GIS QCA/Becta case studieshttp://vtc.ngfl.gov.uk/docserver.php?docid=4011http://www.ncaction.org.uk/subjects/geog/ict-lrn.htm