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Mapzone GIS Zone
Mapzone is a free, bright and lively web site produced by Ordnance Survey. It is aimed at children between the ages of 7 and 16 years, and aims to engage the learner and teaches mapping skills by using a combination of interactive play, stimulating questions and answers and animations and games.
Originally launched 4 years ago, Mapzone now includes a zone dedicated entirely to Geographical Information Systems (GIS). GIS Zone is a learning resource that is fun, visually attractive, interactive and easy-to-follow, whilst also providing maximum opportunities to stimulate learning.
The site defines GIS, using visuals and animations to help. It covers the reasons why so much in life depends on the use of GIS; the benefits of using it and some of the key components that make up GIS such as hardware, software, databases, digital mapping and imagery.
Pupils studying their local environment using traditional methods of enquiry, will now benefit from the latest digital technology. GIS enhances existing learning in the topic areas of geography, history and maths by developing pupils analytical and reporting skills in an inspiring and immersive way.
GIS Zone also includes valuable interactive exercises or missions in the form of educational games. These give students the chance to use a GIS simulation to put into practice what has been learned in the previous sections. They can use their new skills in a number of scenarios, for example to find the most suitable sites for wind turbines, take on the role of an ambulance controller or choose flood defences to protect a town from devastation. There is not always a single solution to the games, and this promotes discussion when the various results are compared.
GIS is a fundamental part of modern geography, already used extensively by businesses to enable users to visualise and understand previously obscure and complex facts. Transfer these skills into the classroom and it gives pupils the opportunity to transform how they understand the world around them, helping them to relate one source of data to another and to develop greater problem solving and enquiry skills. Before long, children will be engaged in activities as varied as plotting a safe route to school, to arranging a virtual visit to far flung destinations to learn about different environments.
And it is not just geography that can benefit from the introduction of GIS resources. Children developing a better understanding of digital mapping and its application to real-life issues can provide a helping hand in a range of other subjects, among them citizenship, and many different branches of maths and science.
User Feedback
“Few teachers of Geography are unaware of the importance of GIS as a tool of strategic planning. Most of us know that we should be teaching our students how to access and handle location based information but many of us lack the knowledge and skills to do this effectively. I admit to finding many of the GIS software packages which are available (mostly at a price!) to be somewhat daunting . Not so with the Ordnance Survey’s Mapzone GIS zone which has kick-started GIS in my department.
This is a resource which is a learning journey for both students and staff. It is interactive and engaging for students yet at the same time it is informative and instructive for teachers. At its heart are six role playing missions which are clearly founded on contemporary geographical issues such as farming, energy, retailing, which feature in most Geography courses in Scotland. They are based on real life situations which show how vital GIS is in the modern world. A bank of information on GIS and some virtual case studies which serve to underline its importance are easily accessible from the clear on-screen menus. Full teachers notes accompany each of the missions allowing teachers to plan and structure their lessons, ensuring they get the best outcomes form them.
To date I have successfully embedded two of the missions – farming in S3 (year 10) and crime in S1 (year 8) - into my SOWs and plan to integrate others as I up-date my courses. Apart from the obvious fact that the GIS Zone is delivering an ICT experience and enhancing ICT skills, each of the missions is providing pupils with an opportunity to enquire and learn, to handle maps and to engage in a decision making exercise and as such is meeting many of the skills demands of the 5-14 curricular guidelines in Scotland. Although the missions are imaginary, the scenarios are real. The role playing does not patronise the pupils who respond positively to the challenges they are presented with. This is borne out by the fact that older students also react enthusiastically to the missions.
There is no doubt that the GIS Zone is making a valuable contribution to extending both the skills of teachers and the range of learning opportunities in my department.”
Head of Geography, Dundee
Kate Kilpatrick
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