Geographical information systems (GIS)
GIS lets geographers stack layers of digital data onto a map, from population density to flood risk, and spot patterns instantly.
Part of your national curriculum
- Geographical skills and fieldwork: Use geographical information systems (GIS) to view, analyse and interpret places and data
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Use geographical information systems (GIS) to view, analyse and interpret places and data
Key learning points
- • What GIS does
- • Everyday examples
- • Analysing patterns
- • Fieldwork use
This lesson at a glance
- 22 minutes
- 19 parts to scroll through
- 3 quick checks
- Marked quiz at the end
- Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses
Words to know
Scroll down — the lesson carries on below
Watch & discover
Part 1 of 19
Visual introductionPicture this
Geographical information systems (GIS)
GIS lets geographers stack layers of digital data onto a map, from population density to flood risk, and spot patterns instantly.
In a nutshell
Use geographical information systems (GIS) to view, analyse and interpret places and data
Learning cycle
Part 2 of 19
Learning cycle 1 of 2
Part 1 · What GIS does
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 19
Learn
What GIS does
Geographical information systems store data linked to locations, then display it as layers on a digital map. A user can turn layers on and off — showing rainfall, then roads, then population, over the same base map.
Reset break
Part 4 of 19
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 5 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Explore the idea
Part 5 of 19
Learn
Everyday examples
Apps like Google Maps use GIS to combine satellite images, road networks and traffic data, while services like Google Earth let users explore layered satellite imagery of anywhere on the planet.
Quick check
Part 6 of 19
Quick check
Part 7 of 19
Reset break
Part 8 of 19
Pause
That's sitting 2 of 5 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Learning cycle
Part 9 of 19
Learning cycle 2 of 2
Part 2 · Analysing patterns
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 10 of 19
Learn
Analysing patterns
Planners use GIS to overlay flood-risk zones with housing data to decide where new developments are safe, or to map disease outbreaks against population density to target healthcare resources.
Explore the idea
Part 11 of 19
Learn
Fieldwork use
During fieldwork, geographers can record GPS locations of data, such as pedestrian counts in a town centre, then map them using GIS software to reveal spatial patterns that a table of numbers alone would hide.
Reset break
Part 12 of 19
Pause
That's sitting 3 of 5 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Quick check
Part 13 of 19
Challenge round
Part 14 of 19
Game · Sort it
Which of these are true?
Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.
True
Not true
Challenge round
Part 15 of 19
Game · Fill the gaps
Finish the sentences
Choose the word that belongs in each gap.
____ information systems store data linked to locations, then display it as layers on a digital map.
Reset break
Part 16 of 19
Pause
That's sitting 4 of 5 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Challenge round
Part 17 of 19
Game · Recall cards
Which technique best shows the relationship between two variables?
Card 1 of 4
Mastery quiz
Part 18 of 19
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Geographical information systems (GIS)
4 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. Which technique best shows the relationship between two variables?
2. A choropleth map is best for
3. Why is the median sometimes better than the mean?
4. A GIS is most useful because it
Lesson round-up
Part 19 of 19
Lesson round-up
Ready when you are
Quiz score
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Points this lesson
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Best run
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Luna: 0 out of 3 on the practice checks. Only if you feel up to it — one more?
Ask LunaPart 1 of 19 · Watch & discover
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Use geographical information systems (GIS) to view, analyse and interpret places and data