Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term - Senior Secondary 1

Components of Geographic Information System (GIS)

TERM – 2ND TERM

WEEK EIGHT

Class: Senior Secondary School 1

Age: 15 years

Duration: 40 minutes of 5 periods each

Date:

Subject: Geography

Topic: COMPONENTS OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS)

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to

  1. Identify the components of GIS
  2. Explain the uses of each components of GIS.
  3. Distinguish between positional and relational data

INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES: Identification, explanation, questions and answers,

demonstration, videos from source

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: Videos, loud speaker, textbook, pictures

INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES

PERIOD 1-2

PRESENTATION

TEACHER’S ACTIVITY

STUDENT’S

ACTIVITY

STEP 1

INTRODUCTION

The teacher introduces and explain the various components of GIS.

Students in small groups, visit the computer room to identify the components of GIS (hardware, software, data, procedure and people)Individual

STEP 2

EXPLANATION

Teacher explain the uses of the components of GIS

Student describe the components of GIS as seen in the computer room

STEP 3

DEMONSTRATIO

N

Teacher explain the differences between positional data and relational data.

Students as a class, explain the uses of each component of GIS and distinguish positional and relational data

STEP 4

NOTE TAKING

The teacher writes a summarized note on the board

 

The students

copy the note in

their books

 

NOTE

COMPONENTS OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS)

GIS stands for Geographic Information System. It's a system that captures, stores, analyzes, and manages spatial or geographic data, allowing users to visualize and understand relationships, patterns, and trends in the form of maps or charts. GIS is widely used in various fields, such as urban planning, environmental management, and geography, to make informed decisions based on location-based data.

GIS (Geographic Information System) typically consists of the following components:

1. Hardware: This includes the physical devices like computers, servers, GPS receivers, and other devices used for data input/output.

Uses of hardware in GIS

Hardware plays a crucial role in GIS by providing the necessary infrastructure for processing, storing, and visualizing geographic information. The following are some key uses of hardware in GIS:

  1. Computers: High-performance computers are essential for running complex GIS software and performing data-intensive operations such as spatial analysis and modeling.
  2. GPS Receivers: GPS hardware collects accurate location data, enabling the creation of spatial datasets with precise geographic coordinates.
  3. Printers and Plotters: Hardware like printers and plotters produce hard copies of maps and visualizations, allowing users to share and analyze spatial information in a tangible format.
  4. Scanners and Digitizers: Scanners digitize paper maps or drawings, while digitizers convert analog spatial data into digital form, facilitating integration into GIS databases.
  5. Servers: Powerful servers host GIS databases and applications, supporting multiple users in accessing and interacting with spatial data simultaneously.

2. Software: GIS software is crucial for data processing, analysis, and visualization. Examples include ArcGIS, QGIS, and Google Earth.

Uses of software in GIS

GIS (Geographic Information System) software serves various purposes, including:

  1. GIS software is widely used for creating, updating, and analyzing maps, enabling users to visualize spatial data and relationships.
  2. It allows users to analyze geographic patterns, relationships, and trends, helping in decision-making processes related to location-based information.
  3. GIS is crucial in environmental applications, aiding in tasks such as resource management, conservation planning, and monitoring changes in ecosystems.
  4. City planners use GIS to analyze and model urban environments, optimize land use, and plan for infrastructure development.

3. Data: Geographic data, both spatial and attribute data, is fundamental. Spatial data includes maps, satellite imagery, and GPS data, while attribute data provides additional information about the spatial features.

Uses of Data in GIS

In GIS, data serves as the foundation for analysis, visualization, and decision-making. Below are some key uses of data in Geographic Information Systems:

  1. GIS data allows for the creation of accurate and detailed maps, representing geographic features, boundaries, and their relationships.
  2. Geographic data facilitates the analysis of spatial patterns, relationships, and trends, enabling users to derive insights and make informed decisions.
  3. GIS data supports decision-making processes by providing a spatial context for understanding relationships between different elements in a geographic area.
  4. GIS is instrumental in managing natural resources by integrating data on land use, vegetation, water bodies, and more, aiding in sustainable resource planning.

4. People: Skilled individuals, such as GIS analysts and technicians, who are responsible for managing, analyzing, and interpreting geographic data.

Uses of people in GIS

In the context of GIS, the term "people" doesn't refer to individuals but rather to the involvement of human resources in GIS-related activities. Here are some ways in which people contribute to GIS:

  1. People play a crucial role in collecting and updating geographic data. They may use GPS devices, surveys, or mobile applications to gather information on the ground.
  2. GIS professionals and analysts interpret spatial data, perform spatial analyses, and derive meaningful insights to support decision-making processes.
  3. Cartographers and GIS specialists create maps for various purposes, ensuring that the visual representation effectively communicates spatial information to a diverse audience.
  4. GIS systems require maintenance and administration. People are responsible for managing databases, ensuring data integrity, and troubleshooting technical issues.

5. Methods/Procedures: This involves the methodologies and workflows for data collection, analysis, and presentation within a GIS.

Uses of methods/procedures in GIS

Methods and procedures in GIS are essential for systematic data processing, analysis, and decision-making. The following are some key uses of methods and procedures in GIS:

  1. Establishing methods for collecting geographic data ensures consistency and accuracy. Standard procedures help maintain data quality and reliability.
  2. GIS methods facilitate the integration of diverse datasets. Standardized procedures ensure compatibility between different sources, allowing for a comprehensive analysis.
  3. iii. Methods and procedures in GIS are employed for spatial analysis, allowing users to perform operations like overlay, buffering, and spatial modeling to extract meaningful insights from geographic data.
  4. GIS procedures are used to validate the topological relationships within datasets, ensuring the logical consistency of spatial features.

6. Networks: GIS often relies on networks to share data, collaborate, and access resources. This can include local area networks (LANs) or internet-based networks.

Uses of network in GIS

In GIS (Geographic Information Systems), a network refers to a set of interconnected linear features, such as roads, pipelines, or utility networks. The use of networks in GIS provides various functionalities and applications, including:

  1. GIS networks enable the calculation of optimal routes for navigation, helping users find the shortest or fastest path between locations. This is valuable in logistics, transportation planning, and everyday navigation apps.
  2. Networks allow for the determination of service areas or catchment areas around specific locations. This is useful for businesses to assess their reach, emergency services to plan response areas, and more.
  3. GIS networks help analyze the connectivity and accessibility of different locations within a network, assisting in identifying isolated areas or improving network efficiency.
  4. GIS networks aid in planning public transportation systems by optimizing routes, identifying transit stops, and analyzing accessibility for different areas within a city.

Positional data verses Relational data

Positional data refers to information that specifies the location of an object in a particular coordinate system, such as GPS coordinates indicating a specific point on Earth.

 Relational data, on the other hand, involves describing connections or associations between different entities, often represented in databases using tables and relationships. Positional data focuses on location, while relational data emphasizes connections and dependencies between data points.

EVALUATION: 1. What is GIS?

  1. Mention all the components of GIS.
  2. Give 4 uses of network in GIS
  3. Differentiate between positional data and relational data.

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher commends the students positively