A few things from the Ordnance Survey in last day...
First is the launch of Digimap.
Text below taken from the press release:
Ordnance Survey is increasing its support for the teaching of geography at all levels by launching a brand new online mapping service for all schools across Great Britain. ‘Digimap for Schools’ provides schools with easy access to Ordnance Survey's most detailed digital mapping for the whole of Great Britain. For the first time, pupils will have access to maps showing individual building outlines as well as familiar scales of mapping used by outdoor enthusiasts and on websites.
Digimap is a mapping service for schools. I wrote an article about the service which can be seen in the latest (electronic) edition of MAPPING NEWS.
The service will be free until the end of 2011, but will then involve a subscription fee being paid.
Digital Worlds subscribers have access to the new maps streamed into the GIS software, so they can begin to manipulate and work with them.
Image copyright: Ordnance Survey made available under CC Non-Commercial license
Second thing relates to the image above, which was taken at a DIGIMAP launch event.
It's from the Ordnance Survey's new OS MAPPING FLICKR account, which has a range of useful images for use in the classroom.
Here's one of an OS surveyor at work with GPS receiver and portable computer.
Image copyright: Ordnance Survey made available under CC Non-Commercial license
First is the launch of Digimap.
Text below taken from the press release:
Ordnance Survey is increasing its support for the teaching of geography at all levels by launching a brand new online mapping service for all schools across Great Britain. ‘Digimap for Schools’ provides schools with easy access to Ordnance Survey's most detailed digital mapping for the whole of Great Britain. For the first time, pupils will have access to maps showing individual building outlines as well as familiar scales of mapping used by outdoor enthusiasts and on websites.
Baroness Hanham said:
“It’s important for schoolchildren to learn how to tell where places in this country are. ‘Digimaps for Schools’ will provide detailed geographical information for pupils. I’m very pleased to launch this scheme, which will give all children easy access to Ordnance Survey maps through the latest technology in interactive digital mapping.”
EDINA currently provide map and spatial data services for universities and colleges. Based at the University of Edinburgh, they are extending their service to include all schools. The mapping service - Digimap for Schools - is being made available through JISC Collections for Schools – a central source of affordable online subscription resources for the schools sector.
The Director of EDINA, Peter Burnhill said:
“We are very pleased to be able to extend our mapping services from higher education into schools. Digimap for Schools is tailor-made to provide children with easy access to a full range of Ordnance Survey mapping for the whole of Great Britain. We hope the online service will help pupils of all ages to learn more about places beyond their own familiar area and will be used to add a sense of place to many subjects.”
The Geographical Association believes that map work and the development of associated skills is an essential aspect of school ‘geography’, Using maps encourages pupils to explore the landscape as it is represented on the map, but then to take a walk outside, and immerse themselves in the ‘real world’. The excellent mapping services provided by the Ordnance Survey enable teachers and pupils of all ages to develop an understanding and appreciation of the development of the landscape, whether urban or rural, that takes them beyond the school gates and into a world of discovery.
Vanessa Lawrence CB, Director General and Chief Executive of Ordnance Survey said:
“I am delighted that we are able to offer such a wide range of Ordnance Survey data available to pupils of all ages and we are keen to encourage teachers to use mapping data to make geography relevant and interesting to pupils.
Ordnance Survey has provided all 11 year-olds with a free OS Explorer map of their area for the last nine years, issuing over 6 million paper maps. The popular scheme had been one of the largest educational initiatives of its kind. This year schools with 11 year-olds have also been given free access to Digimap for Schools until December 2011.
Vanessa continued:
“Our free maps for 11 year-olds has been incredibly successful with over 6 million OS Explorer Maps being sent out in the last nine years. However, when we look at how young people engage with technology, it seems very appropriate to provide mapping digitally and in a relevant way that they will continue to use as they grow and develop into adulthood.”
The RGS – IBG’s Director Dr Rita Gardner CBE added
“The Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) believes that it is vital that school pupils learn to read and understand maps. The use of maps should be a central element of their geography lessons. To help young people know more about, and to understand, Britain’s human and physical landscapes there is no better place to start than mapping provided by the Ordnance Survey.”
Digimap is a mapping service for schools. I wrote an article about the service which can be seen in the latest (electronic) edition of MAPPING NEWS.
The service will be free until the end of 2011, but will then involve a subscription fee being paid.
Digital Worlds subscribers have access to the new maps streamed into the GIS software, so they can begin to manipulate and work with them.
Second thing relates to the image above, which was taken at a DIGIMAP launch event.
It's from the Ordnance Survey's new OS MAPPING FLICKR account, which has a range of useful images for use in the classroom.
Here's one of an OS surveyor at work with GPS receiver and portable computer.
Image copyright: Ordnance Survey made available under CC Non-Commercial license
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