Section 2: A guide to the best of the existing interactive websites
Many organisations now
use a GIS tool on their websites to give a degree of interactivity for
their users and these sites can be used to illustrate
some of the concepts
of and uses that GIS can be put to. Each of the examples given below illustrates
at least one benefit of using GIS software. These websites can be used in the
classroom to show students how GIS systems work and in many cases, can be used
in practical ways to link to current schemes of work. Using them in lessons will
bring a degree of interactivity and flexibility that is not possible with most
textbook based resources.
The
Great Britain Census 2001 website has a very useful interactive section that
uses choropleth maps to illustrate a range of data at local authority level.
It has 18 key statistics and you can alter the number of data classes as well
as colours used on the maps. Maps can also be printed out in pdf format. If you
hover the mouse pointer over the map, it highlights each of the local authority
areas and brings up the local authority name and the specific data used on the
map. This allows direct comparison of named areas.
Curriculum Links: The website can be used with KS3 students to study variations
in patterns of population density. KS4 students can not only use the website
to study ‘population distribution and change’ but can also look at
the impact and effectiveness of the choropleth technique by varying some of the
parameters.
URL: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/censusmaps/index_new.html
The
Multimap website provides fast access to small map extracts which can be used
as base maps for fieldwork projects and case studies. It also provides aerial
photos of each area which can then be overlain by transparent sections of the
map. This use of layers (one layer shows the photo, the other shows the map)
is a very useful feature of many GIS packages and allows students to look at
the relationships between aerial photo data and map data.
Curriculum Links: Younger students enjoy scrolling around the maps and finding
familiar features as well as being able to look at locations studied in case
studies. Older KS4 students are able to develop their mapwork and aerial photography
skills and to see the advantages/disadvantages of each medium.
URL: http://www.multimap.co.uk
The
Environment Agency website has a section called ‘What’s in your
backyard?’ which aims to show a variety of environmental data relevant
to your local area or postcode. The data includes information on flooding, waste
disposal and pollution. It can be illustrated using maps, tables and graphs.
The raw data can be downloaded for use in a spreadsheet such as Microsoft Excel.
The website illustrates how location data (grid references or latitude and longitude)
can be assigned to such information in order to show spatial patterns. This is
one of the essential roles of a GIS.
Curriculum Links: Most students can gain some benefit from looking at the issues
dealt with on this website via their own local area. Older KS4 students can use
the website to provide case study material when studying river processes and
flooding, environmental hazards and environmental management.
URL: http://216.31.193.171/asp/introduction.asp?lang=_e
In
the USA almost every state and local authority has an online GIS mapping system
that allows its citizens to access data about the local area. Greenwood County,
South Carolina is a good example of a fast, detailed online GIS that gives access
to information about topography, transport and utility infrastructure, land ownership
and housing. Each dataset forms a separate layer and can be switched on or off
to produce maps of varying complexity. Photos of the urban areas can be shown
as a semi-transparent
layer with the maps.
Curriculum Links: The website provides a useful source of information about how
maps are put together and the ability to separate out layers of information will
help students understand this difficult concept. The ability to link maps and
aerial photographs is an important skill at KS4 which can be reinforced using
this website.
URL: http://165.166.39.5/GISwebsite/default.htm
Some
UK local authorities are now starting to use similar but often less sophisticated
online GIS systems. A good example of a UK-based GIS system can be found on the
Surrey County Council website.
URL: http://surreymaps.surreycc.gov.uk/public/InteractiveMap.asp#
Curriculum Links: The website is useful to all age groups that want to look
at the services available in different communities within an area. Settlements
of different sizes can be easily compared. The website also has a useful interactive
tutorial that guides you through the website and illustrates how the GIS works.
A
good example of an online business application for GIS can be found at
Mass Means Business. This is a Massachusetts funded attempt to attract
businesses to the city of Boston and surrounding towns. A simple search
enquiry brings up a photo of the building or building plot, an aerial photo
and a map. Users can then search the database to find out business or demographic
data within a chosen radius. “Whether you’re just starting
out, expanding or relocating your business to Massachusetts, Mass Means
Business can help you find the "right" property - and price range – to
suit your needs. Just type in your unique criteria, click "Search," and
let us do the rest.”
Curriculum Links: This website has many possibilities with older students who
are looking at industrial location. There is the capability to search for industrial,
retail and office plots, compare sale/rental prices of land, look at aerial
and ground photos of sites and perhaps, most importantly, to look at demographic
data relating to the potential site e.g. number of unemployed or highly-skilled
people within a 5 mile radius.
URL: http://www.massmeansbusiness.com/SF/Search.aspx