TECH:Geographic Information Systems (GIS ) (Comm)

Summary

Students will be introduced to the world of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). They will have the opportunity to work with a GIS computer program to develop a map of their community locating significant locations in relevance to their lives.

Materials

GIS software and data CDs can be obtained through attending a training provided by the Utah State Office of Education. For more information contact Melvin Robinson at: Melvin Robinson 250 East 500 South PO Box 144200 Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4200 Phone: (801) 538-7598 E-mail: Mrobinso@usoe.k12.ut.us Hardware requirements are as follows: Macintosh computer (System 9 or newer) - CD drive PC Computer (Windows 98 or newer) - CD drive

Background for Teachers

Student will have the opportunity to work on a computer using ArcView software. They will be introduced to layers and have will lay out a map of there community. They will need to plot at least 6 significant location to them and their family; i.e. Home, Parents Place of work, Grandparents house, Friends house, Movie theater, Church, Soccer field, Parks, etc. Student will be introduced to the world of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the impact that it can have on a community. They will be introduced to GIS career options that are available to them. Student will need to explain the map they have developed to the teacher. They will need to identify the career opportunities available to them in their own communities. Students will be able identify different ways GIS could be used to in a career.

Student Prior Knowledge

Students should be able to read and use a computer. This activity is exploratory, there is no prior subject knowledge required.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to define Geographic Information Systems. They will be able to use GIS software to produce a map of there community. Students will be introduced to the careers associated with GIS.

Instructional Procedures

The student hand out is attached in two different formats. MSWord is a format that allows teachers to personalize the lesson. Adobe.pdf is a file that most users should be able to load.