1.4 Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

• What Geographic Information Systems are and their components
• The GIS development cycle: data input, storage, analysis, modelling, output and presentation
• Technologies used in GIS: GPS, remote sensing, geospatial artificial intelligence, desktop mapping, Computer Aided Design and database management systems
• Types of information stored in GIS: spatial and attribute data
• GIS storage methods for spatial and attribute data: GeoTIFF, shapefiles, KML and CSV
• Capturing spatial and attribute data of features in the school compound
• GIS as a tool for decision making

• describe the GIS development cycle for in-depth understanding
• examine the technologies used in GIS
• explore the types of information stored in GIS
• explain GIS storage methods for spatial and attribute data
• use GIS technology to capture spatial and attribute data of key features within the school compound
• acknowledge GIS as a tool for decision making

“How important is GIS in day-to-day lives?”

“What is the role of GPS in road emergency responses?”

The titles are open to everyone. Reading a lesson needs an account — sign in or create one.

1. Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Explain what GIS is, its components and why it matters.
2. The GIS development cycle
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Describe the six stages of the GIS development cycle.
3. Data input in GIS
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Describe the main methods of entering data into a GIS.
4. Data storage in GIS
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Compare vector and raster storage and the role of databases.
5. Spatial analysis in GIS
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Use overlay, buffer, query and network analysis to answer questions.
6. Modelling in GIS
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Use GIS models to test possibilities and predict outcomes.
7. Output and presentation in GIS
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Produce maps, graphs, tables and reports from a GIS.
8. GPS technology in GIS
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Explain how GPS works and how it supports GIS and emergency response.
9. Remote sensing
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Describe remote sensing and how its images feed a GIS.
10. Geospatial artificial intelligence
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Explain how geospatial AI helps classify, detect change and predict.
11. Desktop mapping
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Use a desktop mapping program to build a map from layers.
12. Computer Aided Design in GIS
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Describe CAD and how its accurate designs are used in a GIS.
13. Database management systems
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Explain how a DBMS stores records and answers queries with SQL.
14. Spatial data in GIS
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Explain location, geometry and raster as types of spatial data.
15. Attribute data in GIS
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Explain attribute data and how records link to map features.
16. GIS storage methods: GeoTIFF and shapefiles
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Compare GeoTIFF and shapefile storage for spatial data.
17. GIS storage methods: KML and CSV
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Store map features as KML and coordinate tables as CSV.
18. Capturing school compound data for decisions
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Capture features with GPS, store them as CSV and use them to decide.