Geographical Association

Furthering the learning and teaching of geography

Software and Online GIS

There is a range of software that can show the capabilities of GIS. Some have a few GIS tools and functions, but are limited in several ways. Others are full GIS programs that are used commercially. This section provides ideas and links to web sites that aim to help make decisions about what software best meets different needs. The brief comments about each item need to be followed up by looking at the complete descriptions of each product on the various web sites.

GIS Software

Digital Worlds

An easy to use, entry level GIS. Recommended for Key Stage 3 and GCSE. DigitalWorlds has been specially designed to help teachers and students explore, analyse and understand the world around them.


ArcView

ArcView 9.3 is a more advanced GIS, completely compatible with DigitalWorlds. Once a school has become familiar with DigitalWorlds it may wish to progress to ArcView to allow students to carry out more sophisticated GIS analysis. 


Local Studies
(For Primary)
Local Studies is a mapping program that can help teach some basics of GIS to students in primary schools. It makes a bridge between basic drawing programs such as MSPaint and the idea of mapping using digital technologies. Students can draw maps using signs or symbols, use layers, attach data and images to points and use measuring tools.


ULearn by Infomapper

This is a map resource with a range of GIS tools and functions. It is an online resource that allows access to a wide range of maps and other images.


Aegis 3

This GIS program was designed for use in schools. It is a flexible mapping product that can give a sound grounding in the principles of full commercial GIS programs. Samples of its use are available on the company web site. An Aegis 3 viewer with limited functions can be downloaded free.   


Vista from Wildgoose

The Vista map program gives entry level program to develop GIS skills. The program can be used to work with digital maps and vertical air photos.


Google Earth

A version of Google Earth is available free to download. It has tools and functions that locate places accurately, to make measurements, draw and show layers, to link some types of data to places on maps and others. Google Earth Pro is an advanced version that can be bought.

 

Examples of online GIS


Multi-Agency Geographic Information in the Countryside (MAGIC)

This site gives students access to information about different aspects of the countryside through maps that have GIS functions. The topics include land use, habitats, coastal and marine conservation amongst others.


West Midlands Crime Maps

This website is an example of a GIS that students can use online. The site gives data on maps about different types of crime in the West Midlands. Data for particular places can be searched by post code.   


The Environment Agency Floodline

This site also provides maps that can be searched by post code. There is plenty of information about flood risks, as well as other layers of information about waste, air pollution and other topics.


Surrey
County Council

Several local government authorities have web sites that have interactive maps with GIS functions. The Surrey County Council site gives information about the location of different types of services in the authority. 

 

Guides and Reviews

Digital Explorer: Virtual Fieldwork Using Google Earth

This is a manual on the range of ways in which Google Earth can be used in the context of fieldwork. It can be downloaded free from the company website. The ideas can be applied to any work in geography. The emphasis is on how the GIS tools and functions can be used, such as creating placemarks. The manual includes information about how GPS co-ordinates can be linked to the program.


Getting started with GIS .. online … GIS in the world of work

GA Magazine: David Mitchell, Spring 2008

GA members can access this article which gives guidance to teachers on how students can be introduced to some of the ways that GIS can help solve problems in 'real world' situations, such as in solving crime, managing the spread of disease and in finding a house. These are all done through open access web sites.


The application of web-based GIS in geography teaching

Teaching Geography: Peter O'Connor, Spring 2009

This article explores ways in which online sites can be used to devise geography lessons that include elements of GIS. A range of websites is provided, for example, UK local government sites that have interactive maps.  


Software Evaluations on the RGS-IBG website

This site gives a set of tables on which a range of GIS products are described and evaluated, for example, for curriculum relevance, functionality, ease of use and installation. Note that some of this information may need to be updated, especially for prices.


Two Reviews on Teachers TV:

Mapzone GIS and Aegis 3

Google Earth and ArcVoyager Special Edition

 

GIS Starts Here banner

Comment on this page

Comments made by GA members appear instantly - make sure you're logged in! Guest comments will be sent to a moderator for approval.

GA members can add a profile picture and their comments appear instantly

Join the GA

Please complete all fields

Page Tags

GIS ICT Map Technology

Members

Join the GA today for professional journals, huge discounts on publications and CPD events and online access to all member only resources.

Journals - Free Access for GA Members

Primary Geography

This issue of Primary Geography looks ahead to the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games and features a wealth of geographical activities linked to the event for primary pupils of all ages

GeogEd - Free online access for everyone

Teaching Geography

The Spring 2012 issue of Teaching Geography focuses on the Olympic and Paralympic Games. It includes a range of teaching ideas for using this global sporting event in the geography classroom.

GeogEd - Free online access for everyone

Geography

The Spring 2012 issue of Geography features articles on postcolonialism, indigenous knowledge for disaster risk reduction, new geographies of migrant settlement in the UK, and much more.

GeogEd - Free online access for everyone

JSTOR archive

A searchable archive of Geography and The Geographical Teacher from 1901.

FREE access for all Geography subscribers

Online Shop - Up to 30% Discount for all GA Members

Your shopping basket is empty.

Items in basket 0

Basket Total £0.00

View/Edit Basket

* Applies to Full Personal, Group and
Concessionary members only

Resource Finder

Enter a keyword below or click 'advanced search' for more options


Advanced Search





Resources section

Latest Tweet

RT @brainpicker: Cartographic Curiosities, a new @pintrest board of curated maps from the Brain Pickings archive http://t.co/yeJbqRwC

Follow the GA on Twitter

Adverts

Advertisement: Geography Education at the IOE
Advertisement: Earthworks-Jobs.com

© Copyright The Geographical Association 2009

Website design and development by Ledgard Jepson