ESRI and GA launch first ever A-level GIS .....

14 January 2009, 10:12am

ESRI and Geographical Association launch first ever A-level GIS teaching resource

NEW TEXT BOOK SET TO HELP A-LEVEL GEOGRAPHY TEACHERS

14 January 2009, Aylesbury – ESRI (UK) and the Geographical Association today launched GIS for A-level Geography, the first A-level GIS (Geographical Information Systems) teaching resource created for the UK market.

GIS became part of the national A-level curriculum in September last year and GIS for A-level Geography has been designed specifically to support this syllabus development. Consisting of a text book, exercises and ESRI’s industry-standard GIS software, teachers and students now have access to a comprehensive GIS teaching aid. Previously, GIS text books in English were only published in North America.

Produced in collaboration with ESRI (UK), the UK’s leading GIS provider, and including its ArcView 9.2 software with a 12-month license, plus a DVD of digital map data for England, the new teaching resource is a complete guide to the theory and applications of GIS, with five practical exercises, described step-by-step.

Written by Dr Peter O’Connor, Head of Geography at Bishop’s Stortford College and a member of the Geographical Association ICT Working Group, GIS for A-level Geography is available now from the Geographical Association via www.geographyshop.org.uk

David Lambert, Professor of Geography Education & Chief Executive of the Geographical Association, explains: “GIS are the most powerful set of software tools in existence for the analysis and visualisation of spatial information and are central to the application of geography to real-world problem solving. The growing importance of GIS is reflected in the new A-level specifications, all of which include modules that revolve around teaching and understanding of methods of geographical investigation. GIS for A-level geography is a great addition to our catalogue and offers A-level geography students an accessible introduction to industry standard GIS.”

The book describes how governments, organisations and individuals are using GIS to grapple with increasingly complex social, economic and environmental problems. It then develops students’ GIS skills through the use of ESRI (UK)’s GIS software. An understanding of GIS plays a crucial role in introducing students to modern methods of spatial data capture, processing, analysis and presentation. Many chapters in the book can be used as case study material to reinforce students’ learning about the different stages of a geographical investigation.

Author Dr Peter O’Connor said: “GIS is helping students become better geographers because it cuts to the heart of what geography is about; the visualisation and analysis of spatial information. It is my hope that this book will provide new opportunities for students to develop their skills of geographical analysis to a level not previously achievable in schools. In this way, GIS in the classroom can enhance the sophistication of geographical learning by allowing pupils to access real data to tackle real problems. This helps Geography to remain relevant and gives students opportunities to use the subject in a way that stretches and challenges them.”

“New technologies like GIS give a boost to the subject of geography, helping to arm young people with a new set of skills – not just ICT-related – but the mental skills needed for data analysis and problem solving, highly relevant to a whole host of educational paths and occupations,” commented Angela Baker, Community Programmes Manager, ESRI (UK). “GIS for A-level Geography represents good value as it includes the software and exercises plus all map data required to run them. I encourage teachers to take advantage of this wonderful resource that is set to raise standards of GIS learning in schools.”

Availability:

GIS for A-level Geography can be purchased by:
Telephone: 0114 296 0088
Email: sales@geography.org.uk
Web: www.geography.org.uk/shop/

www.esriuk.com

Sample pages:

GeoConnexion UK