GIS

​Lesson Objectives

​To understand how GIS is a useful tool for Geography.

To begin to investigate how we map social inequalities.

To investigate who GIS data is useful to and why.

Open Ended

What does GIS stand for?

​GIS

​GIS stands for Geographic Information System. It's a powerful tool that helps us visualise, analyse, interpret, and understand spatial data.

​Why GIS?

​GIS is used in various fields, including geography, environmental science, urban planning, and more. It helps us make informed decisions by providing insights into spatial relationships

​GIS is crucial because it helps us answer important questions related to location. For example, it allows us to understand where things are, why they are there, and how they are related. It's not just about creating maps; it's about uncovering patterns, trends, and insights that might not be apparent in traditional forms of data.

​Why GIS?

​Think about how you use maps on your phone to find your way or track a delivery. That's GIS in action! It's also used by city planners to decide where to build new schools or by scientists to study environmental changes.

​GIS everyday

Open Ended

How can GIS be used?

​Examples of GIS

​

• Mapping: Creating various types of maps, from simple ones like street maps to more complex thematic maps.

• Urban Planning: Designing cities efficiently by considering factors like traffic flow, green spaces, and infrastructure.

• Environmental Management: Monitoring changes in the environment, such as deforestation or climate patterns.

• Emergency Response: Planning for and responding to emergencies by understanding the spatial dynamics of the situation.

Open Ended

How can it be used to compare differences in areas?

​How does it work?

​GIS works by linking data to specific locations on Earth. It's like giving every piece of information its own address. This enables us to create maps, conduct spatial analysis, and gain insights into complex relationships.

​Using GIS

​We are going to use GIS today to look at how different areas compare.

To start: Go to datashine.org.uk

​Get used to using the GIS software. See what happens when you change the drop down menus.

 

Examples:​

• Population basics – households composition, age, etc.​

• Education – degree, NVQ, etc.​

• Employment – occupation, professional occupations, hours worked, etc

​Getting used to GIS

​

1) Using the HEALTH option locate the healthiest part of the town?

• Tip: change the drop down boxes to look at different variables.

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  2) What is the dominant religion in your area? 

  ​Tip: change the tab to origins and beliefs, alter the drop down boxes.

  3)Which part of the town is best educated? 

  ​Tip: education tab, look at those areas with degrees compared to those with no qualifications.

​Find your home town

Open Ended

Answer the questions using GIS in your local area.

Open Ended

How could you use this data?​

Who might want to access this information?

​Another GIS system

​A similar structure to before, but this looks at deprivation (a measure of rich and poor).

dclgapps.communities.gov.uk/imd/idmap.html

​ The UK government is often concerned about multiple deprivation, when different types of deprivation e.g. lack of education, poor health, high crime levels, high unemployment are combined into one overall measure of deprivation. This is measured using an Index of Multiple deprivation - a UK government qualitative study of deprived areas in English local councils. It includes 7 factors: Income, Employment, Health deprivation and Disability, Education Skills and Training, Barriers to Housing, and Services, Crime, Living Environment.

​Index of Multiple Deprivation

​Areas of deprivation

​

• Each area is given a deprivation score (click on the IMD menu for this task).​

• There are 32844 areas in England; ​

• These areas are ranked according to how deprived they are, 1 is the score given to the most deprived area (darkest red on the map).

Open Ended

1. Try and find the lowest number:  ​

• What was the lowest rank you found and where was it? Why do you think this might be?​

2. Now look for the highest, the least deprived area in the UK.

​The most deprived area in the UK

​Jaywick is a small seaside town on the Essex coast. It has a longstanding reputation as the most deprived town in England, it has to the highest IMD score in the country, at 92.7 out of 100

​Why is Jaywick so deprived?

​GIS as a career

​GIS skills are highly valued in a range of careers. Whether you're interested in geography, environmental science, technology, or urban planning, having GIS skills can open doors to exciting opportunities.

​Lesson Objectives

​To understand how GIS is a useful tool for Geography.

To begin to investigate how we map social inequalities.

To investigate who GIS data is useful to and why.

​Now you have explored your home town look at two contrasting locations (this could be an urban area compared to a rural area, or an inner city compared to a suburban area).

• Choose an indicator (employment or residency)​

• Locate two areas that have contrasting figures and try to explain why you think this might be the case. You can use other data to help you explain.

​Homework

Open Ended

Name your two locations and write how the data shows they are contrasting and why?