Geographic Inquiry and Mapping · Term 3

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Students are introduced to digital mapping and how layered data is used in modern decision making.

About This Topic

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have revolutionized the way we understand and interact with the world. In this topic, students are introduced to digital mapping and the power of layering data to reveal patterns that are invisible on a standard map. In the Ontario curriculum, GIS is a key spatial skill that allows students to analyze everything from climate trends to urban growth and disaster response.

Students learn how GIS is used by professionals, such as urban planners, environmental scientists, and emergency responders, to make informed decisions. This unit also touches on the ethics of data collection and the importance of 'critical cartography.' This topic comes alive when students can physically model the patterns through hands-on digital mapping projects and collaborative data analysis.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze how overlaying different geographic data layers, such as population density and road networks, alters the interpretation of a specific urban area.
• Explain how GIS technology is used by emergency management agencies to coordinate responses to natural disasters like wildfires or floods in real time.
• Evaluate the ethical implications of using location-based data from mobile devices for public health surveillance or urban planning.
• Create a simple digital map by layering at least three distinct datasets to illustrate a specific geographic phenomenon, such as access to green spaces.
• Compare the spatial patterns revealed by a GIS map with those shown on a traditional paper map for a given region.

Before You Start

Map Projections and Coordinate Systems

Why: Students need a basic understanding of how flat maps represent the curved Earth and how locations are identified to grasp GIS concepts.

Data Representation and Analysis

Why: Understanding how to interpret charts, graphs, and tables is foundational for analyzing the attribute data associated with GIS layers.

Key Vocabulary

Geographic Information System (GIS)	A system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present all types of geographically referenced data. It combines maps with data.
Data Layer	A collection of geographic data for a specific theme or type of feature, such as roads, rivers, or buildings, that can be overlaid on other layers in a GIS.
Spatial Data	Information that describes the location and shape of geographic features, including points, lines, and polygons, and their relationships to each other.
Georeferencing	The process of assigning geographic coordinates to an image or map, allowing it to be placed accurately within a GIS environment.
Critical Cartography	An approach to mapmaking that questions the assumptions, biases, and power dynamics inherent in the creation and use of maps.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle: Layering the Story

Using a simple GIS tool or transparent overlays, students layer different data sets (e.g., income levels, locations of grocery stores, and bus routes) over a map of a city. They must identify one 'pattern' that emerges from the layers and explain what it tells them about the city's equity.

⏱ 50 min·Small Groups

Generate mission

Simulation Game: Disaster Response Team

Students act as an emergency response team after a fictional flood. They are given different 'data layers' (elevation, population density, road closures) and must use them to decide where to set up an emergency shelter and which routes to use for evacuations. They present their plan to the class.

⏱ 45 min·Small Groups

Generate mission

Think-Pair-Share: The Ethics of Tracking

Students discuss in pairs the pros and cons of using phone location data to track the spread of a disease or to plan better transit. They brainstorm one way to protect privacy while still using the data for good. Pairs share their 'privacy rule' with the class.

⏱ 20 min·Pairs

Generate mission

Real-World Connections

Urban planners use GIS to analyze zoning regulations, population demographics, and transportation routes to decide where to build new schools or parks in cities like Toronto.

Environmental scientists employ GIS to map deforestation patterns and predict the spread of invasive species, aiding conservation efforts in areas such as the Amazon rainforest.

Emergency responders utilize real-time GIS data during natural disasters, like tracking the path of a hurricane and identifying evacuation routes or areas needing immediate assistance.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

GIS is just a fancy version of Google Maps.

What to Teach Instead

While Google Maps uses GIS, a true GIS allows you to analyze and manipulate data layers to solve problems, not just find a location. A 'find vs. analyze' activity can help students see the difference between simple navigation and geographic analysis.

Common Misconception

Maps are always objective and 'true.'

What to Teach Instead

Every map is a choice about what data to include and how to show it, which can introduce bias. Peer-led comparisons of different maps of the same area can help students develop a more critical eye for how data is presented.

Assessment Ideas

Exit Ticket

Provide students with a scenario: 'A city council needs to decide where to build a new public library.' Ask them to list three types of data layers they would want in a GIS to help make this decision and briefly explain why each layer is important.

Quick Check

Display a simple GIS map with two layers, for example, population density and major roads. Ask students: 'What new insight does seeing these two layers together provide that a single map would not?' Record student responses on a shared document or whiteboard.

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'If a government agency uses GIS to track the movement of people during a pandemic, what are the potential benefits and what are the ethical concerns we should consider?' Facilitate a class discussion, guiding students to explore privacy issues and data security.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is GIS and why is it important?

GIS stands for Geographic Information System. It is a computer system for capturing, storing, checking, and displaying data related to positions on Earth's surface. It's important because it allows us to see patterns and relationships that help us solve complex problems like urban planning or climate change.

How do different professionals use GIS?

Urban planners use it to decide where to build new parks or transit lines. Environmentalists use it to track the movement of endangered species or the spread of forest fires. Businesses use it to decide where to open new stores based on where their customers live.

What are 'layers' in GIS?

Layers are different sets of information that are stacked on top of each other on a map. For example, one layer might show roads, another might show rivers, and a third might show population density. By looking at them all together, you can see how they interact.

How can active learning help students understand GIS?

Active learning, such as using GIS to solve a disaster response scenario, turns a technical tool into a problem-solving exercise. By actually manipulating layers and making decisions based on the data, students learn the practical value of GIS and develop essential spatial thinking skills.