Abstract
Collaborative Development of Secondary School Internet Mapping Activities
Track: Teaching with GIS in Schools
Author(s): David Diggs, Anthony Lopez, Phil Klein
A set of three internet mapping activities, collectively called "Learning about Soils, Biomes, and Climates," is now available on the University of Northern Colorado Geography website. This began as a class project by an undergraduate major, with the goal of creating simple map layers that illustrated spatial relationships among biomes, major climate types, and generalized patterns of soil fertility. Targeting introductory world geography courses (typically taught in grades 6-9), the activities provide students practice in spatial thinking skills. The development process eventually included two geography professors-one knowledgeable in geographic education and the other in ArcIMS-who clarified the design of the activities and internet map symbolization, respectively. In addition, an improved GIS database was developed. The activities were then refined and classroom tested by two experienced secondary teachers. The process provides a useful model for development of workable and effective internet mapping activities for K-12 use.
David Diggs
Geography Program, University of Northern Colorado
Campus Box 115
University of Northern Colorado
Greeley , Colorado 80639
United States
Phone: 970-351-1113
E-mail: david.diggs@unco.edu
Anthony Lopez
SWCA Environmental Consultants
295 Interlocken Blvd.
Suite 300
Broomfield , Colorado 80021
United States
Phone: 303-487-1183
E-mail: alopez@swca.com
Phil Klein
Geography Program, University of Northern Colorado
Campus Box 115
University of Northern Colorado
Greeley , Colorado 80639
United States
Phone: 970-351-2372
E-mail: phil.klein@unco.edu