Program Outline: Map with GIS 8

 

Purpose

 
This program has been designed to introduce students to ArcGIS Online (Geographic Information Systems mapping software licensed by the TDSB) by using the software and appropriate data sets to create small scale maps of Toronto and the community around their school; a second map deals with population density around the world.

Before the Program

• divide students into pairs (max: 16 pairs) --- please partner the students up so that at least one of the two is a relatively strong computer person and has good reading skills; this is essential as ArcMap is very powerful, professional software; it is not particularly intuitive and instructions must be followed exactly to be successful
• all other work is completed “on the day” at TUSC

Program Outline

• following a brief introduction to GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and a review of basic mapping concepts students are introduced to the software

• there are two assignments in the morning:

  Assignment 1 - students learn how to construct an online map of Toronto, showing TUSC and your school
  Assignment 2 - students the map into a web app with an elevation profile
• for students who finish early, there is a bonus exercise

• NOTE:

    the map making is accompanied by activities where students use the map information

• there are two assignment in the afternoon:

   World Conurbations - identify and label a major conurbation on each continentStory Map Journal - the conurbation map is used as a "basemap" in the journal; students then find an image and brief description for each major urban centre within each conurbation