Download - Contemporary Mapping Tools
Contemporary Mapping Tools
Essential Questions:
What does it mean to think geographically and spatially?
How can geographic technology affect me?
Big understanding:
GIS and other contemporary mapping technology and tools are changing and continue to change our
world and how we look at it
Reminder: Mental Mapping
● Mental mapping: An individualized representation of different aspects of Earth's surface
– Ex. the layout of your bedroom (local)
– Ex. the distribution of oceans and continents across Earth (global)
● Mix of precise knowledge about the location of geographic features as well as impressions of places, rough estimates of size and location, and a general sense of the connections between places
Contemporary Mapping vs. Mental Mapping
● Mental mapping uses individualized perceptions
– Found in your own head
● Contemporary mapping tools use precise information about geographic features
– Found using computerized, advanced technology
● Both types of mapping help us understand the Earth
● There are three types of contemporary mapping tools we will explore
1. Mashups
● Mashups: Maps with overlaying data layers– Examples of layers: streets, McDonald's
locations, population density, hotels, sea level, bike lanes
● Imagine being able to search for McDonald's locations near bike lanes or hotels near the street you are standing on...
– Google Maps
– http://goo.gl/maps/sFcFt
– http://www.zefrank.com/sandwich/tool.html
1. Mashups
2. GPS● GPS (Global Positioning System): system
that accurately pinpoints the precise position of something on Earth using satellite imagining and data
– Google Earth
● http://www.metacafe.com/watch/6016570/california_school_district_tracks_truant_students_using_gps/
3. GIS
● GIS (Geographic Information System): computer system that can capture, store, query, analyze, and display geographic data
– Examples: Using GIS to understand crime patterns in a city, track wildlife as animals migrate from one area to another
● What is the difference between GPS and GIS?
– GPS provides users with geographic data; GIS allows users to display and analyze that data
3. GIS
3. GIS
3. GIS
How can geographic technology affect me?
● Deciding where to live, move, or raise a family
– http://Familywatchdog.us/– http://gruvr.com/– http://drivescore.fizber.com/results.html
Now You!
● Project write-up/rubric● Blog post