The Educated Kiwi
Posts tagged geography
New Geography Standard for 2011 may kick off the use of GIS, finally
Aug 25th
Geography 1.8 Apply spatial analysis, with direction, to solve a geographic problem
For next year we are looking at adopting the new Geography standard 1.8 which will allow us to do amongst other things use data in ways such as:
• measuring
• layering
• changing the symbols used
• sorting and editing a table
• querying the map
• using coordinate systems
• displaying a graph based on the map.
I order to do this I have been looking at a few resources. Initially Arc Gis explorer, which is an awesome resource (here is a Link to the iLearn blog with more information) I am currently using this with my Junior classes to test the use of Silverlight from behind the proxy at school and how it goes bandwidth wise as opposed to Google Earth. I have also started looking at Open Street Map. Mark initially reminded me of this with the following TED video:
Having now created an account I have used Motion X GPS To start doing some edits. Would be interesting to see a Geography field trip where the students can actually contribute to a real Map. My only problem is the ease of using the basic Garmin Etrex I have and using the serial converter to get the data off, as opposed to my phone which simply emails the data in .gpx and .kml format already. Still some issues to look at but I am very keen to continue.
OECD Factbook eXplorer
Jul 3rd
This is probably more up Richards alley but I can’t help thinking how much more interesting Geography A level might have been with resources like this. Check out the video on the BBC website and visit http://stats.oecd.org/oecdfactbook/.
Locly for iphone
Dec 2nd
Of the iPhone apps I have tried the one that has me most impressed with the possibilities is locly. This app uses the built in gps or cellphone towers to work out where you are and then tells you what is close, as well as flickr images and nearby tweets. You can then click on the small map which takes you to google maps and the gps will direct you to the location of the restaurant, ATM etc. I have been particularly impressed by the data available for new Zealand but I guess that’s what comes from many businesses having their details online already.
More cool controls for games and breathing earth.
Sep 9th
This from Stuff.co.nz
Systems with motion-controlled gaming, such as the Nintendo Wii, are all the rage but new technology heading for consumers this year goes further, sensing facial expressions, emotions and even thoughts.
Focus your mind to cast a magic spell. Smile or wink and your on-screen avatar does the same. Get mellow and background music matches your mood.
These are some of the possibilities promised by Emotiv Systems – a company founded by four Australian scientists in 2003 – that plans to sell its wireless “neuroheadset” late this year.
The A$300 device for PCs uses 16 sensors that press lightly against the scalp to monitor electrical activity from the brain and face. A built-in gyroscope tracks head movements to control a cursor or viewing angles.
Mind over splatter – New Zealand’s source for technology news on Stuff.co.nz
This comes from the site breathingearth.net which supposedly gives a real time view of co2 emissions as well as basic birth and death rate statistics. Interesting that 47 people dies while I was taking a screenshot. Hmm maybe I could occupy my time differently.
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