Using Digimap with Primary Children Paula Owens 2014 GA Conference Presentation Why use Digimap for Schools? The national curriculum for geography aims to ensure that all pupils are competent in the geographical skills needed to: collect, analyse and communicate with a range of data gathered through experiences of fieldwork that deepen their understanding of geographical processes interpret a range of sources of geographical information, including maps, diagrams, globes, aerial photographs and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) communicate geographical information in a variety of ways, including through maps, numerical and quantitative skills and writing at length. (DfE 2013) Maps help geographers to enquire about, describe and explain what places are like and why, how and why they are changing and how they compare to other places. Maps help geographers zoom in and out of different scales of enquiry. There is a specific mention of OS mapping in NC 2014: ... use the eight points of a compass, four and six-figure grid references, symbols and key (including the use of Ordnance Survey maps) to build their knowledge of the United Kingdom and the wider world. (DfE 2013) Maps help us talk about ENQUIRY Why use Digimap for Schools? Starting out Maps help tell stories about who we are and where we live Where I live and types of housing Where my school is and how I get there. Talking about the immediate locality Add a star to all the places you go to at least once a week... Talking about the wider locality Add a different symbol star to show places you go to at least once a month.. Talking about Great Britain What places in Great Britain have you visited? Zoom in on one and add a holiday snap. Im allowed to play out in the street and can walk to the shop and back with my friends. I mustnt go anywhere else. (Boy aged 9) Talking about Range and scale Use the Draw Area freehand tool to highlight the main built area of St Ives, Cornwall Talking about Range and scale Fraserburgh Weymouth New Quay Ullapool Simple land use comparisons: 1: scale. What do you notice? Talking about Patterns & Comparisons Pen Y Fan is the highest peak in South Wales and southern Britain (886 metres) What DO contours mean? What do they tell us about the shape of mountains? Talking about Physical geography Talking about Changes over Time Why has the coastline changed so much? How much has been lost to the sea? Toggling between current and 1890s historical map views Talking about Changes over Time What did it look like before the Olympic Park was built? Toggling between current and 1890s historical map views Useful Links MotorwayRiverNature Reserve AirportBus or Coach stationRailway station Church with towerVertical cliff faceNational Trail CastleMuseumViewpoint StationUnfenced trackFootbridge Woods with non - coniferous trees CemeteryBridge National ParkSite of AntiquitySchool Traffic free cycle routeWater ActivitiesAdd a feature here... one that you can find. With a partner, see how many of these features you can find on your given map.