QGIS Resources trial

A few months ago, I had a conversation with Charlotte Graves, who is developing some teaching materials and approaches for QGIS (a free Open-source GIS package)

The materials are now available to use and trial. Details are available HERE.

There is a questionnaire connected to the trial, which will help Charlotte to create further materials, and those which are of as much relevance as possible. This was part of her research, as she explains here:

The aim of my research was to create a plugin for QGIS that would encourage and support the use of GIS in schools at minimum cost and with as much ease as possible.

I am now in the final stages of my dissertation and the QGISforSchools plugin is ready for testing. 

It takes the form of a QGIS plugin that provides 3 units (on Population & Development, Tourism and Earthquakes) that provides a student (or teacher) who is new to GIS with a step-by-step introduction to the software. The intention is that the software is simply used to explore the Geographical topic, rather than to teach the user how to use the software on his/her own.

I would be very grateful if you could spare some time to test the plugin and provide some feedback for my dissertation, and to inform the future development of the plugin.

The steps for testing the plugin can be found at the link above.

Charlotte has also provided a useful list of suggested resources for those who want to explore GIS in more detail.

'Tijuana' read an article to update your knowledge of the US-Mexican border ?

If so, there was one in the Guardian this week.
I'm currently reading the rather excellent 'Walls' by Marcello di Cintio. It explores a number of boundaries around the world. The chapter on the US-Mexican border is particularly powerful with some fresh perspectives on this contested part of the world, and the boundary that reinforces a divide which wasn't as obvious before 9/11, after which the border patrols became part of Homeland security.

My HoD Claire has written an article for a future issue of 'Teaching Geography', which features some ideas developed from this book. Check my TEACHING BLOG for some further materials that we have used.

Worth seeking out.

SAGT Conference 2014

Good to see the conference programme and booking form for October's SAGT Conference is now up on the website.
I've been attending since 2005, and it's one of the highlights of the year.
This year, there are plenty of workshops on the conference theme of MAPS and APPS.

Even if you're not an SAGT member, you should really get yourself up to Perth for the event (it's during the half term holiday) and great value for money.
Download the documents now and take a look.
Here are the details of my seminar:

If you're coming along, you could also choose to see Steve Dunn and Mark Smith from the Grammar School at Leeds talking about their use of ArcGIS Online, or Dan Moncrieff from the FSC, or Jamie Buchanan Dunlop, or several other speakers... all of them leading interesting sessions.
Add in two keynotes, an exhibition and some good food and you have the makings of a great day of CPD...