Unit 1 - Lesson 3: Geographic Tools and Technologies

Big Ideas of the Lesson

To acquire geographic information, geographers use a variety of tools and technologies.

Maps are one of the most useful tools in geography. Maps are representations of places at
a variety of spatial scales.
Aerial photographs and satellite images are other useful representations of places.
Because the earth is round, globes provide a more accurate representation of the whole
Earth than a map.
Technology such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can provide geographers with
new and detailed information about the earth.

Lesson Abstract:
In this lesson students explore a variety of geographic tools and technologies used in geographic
inquiry. It begins with a map sharing activity and a PowerPoint slide presentation which reviews a
wide variety of maps students explored in the elementary grades. Students then briefly examine
globes as representations of Earth. Students then participate in an inquiry activity using aerial
photographs and satellite images. Finally, students explore how new technology such as Global
Position System (GPS) and Global Information Systems (GIS) provide geographers with new and
detailed information about the earth.
Content Expectations: 6 G1.1.1; G1.2.2, G1.2.5
Common Core State Standards: RH.6-8.7
Key Concepts
geographic inquiry
geographic tools and technologies
spatial scales