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