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Lesson 7 of 7
  • Year 4

Using digital maps to explore changes in our local area

I can use digital maps in a geographic information system (GIS) to see how my local area has changed over time.

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Lesson 7 of 7
New
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  • Year 4

Using digital maps to explore changes in our local area

I can use digital maps in a geographic information system (GIS) to see how my local area has changed over time.

Download all

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A geographic information system (GIS) is a type of digital map that helps us see and understand geographical patterns.
  2. We can use a GIS to investigate our local area.
  3. We can use a GIS to investigate changes in our local area over time.
  4. Most villages, town and cities have grown in the last 120 years.

Keywords

  • Aerial image - a photograph taken from above using a satellite, aeroplane or drone

  • Geographic information system - a GIS contains digital maps that allow us to investigate geographical patterns

  • Digital map - a map that can be used on a computer, tablet or smartphone

  • Basemap - a background map in a GIS

Common misconception

All roads in the UK were built for cars to travel on them.

Many of our roads were built before cars were invented. They were originally built for people walking, horses, and carts. Cars came much later, and the roads were changed over time so cars could use them safely.


To help you plan your year 4 geography lesson on: Using digital maps to explore changes in our local area, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

The old maps layer in the Geography Visualiser does not include Northern Ireland. If you are based in Northern Ireland you can either choose a place in England, Scotland or Wales to investigate or use the National Library of Scotland's side-by-side map viewer, which has a similar capability.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Computers or tablets with access to the internet. The ArcGIS Geography Visualiser is free and can be accessed online without signing in, however, to save work the pupils would need a login.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is a feature on a map?

a map's colour scheme
Correct answer: a specific part, like a road or woodland
a type of map

Q2.
What might you call a map you use on a computer?

Correct answer: a digital map
a paper map
a spreadsheet

Q3.
Which of these features are you more likely to find on a map today than a map made 100 years ago?

school
shop
Correct answer: solar farm
station

Q4.
If a new park is built in your area, how might it appear on a digital map?

as a grey area
Correct answer: as a green area
as a blue line

Q5.
How might we be able to see places in greater detail on a digital map?

measuring tool
key or legend
Correct answer: zoom buttons

Q6.
In maths, the proper name for the space inside a shape is its:

1 - A
2 - R
3 - E
4 - A

Assessment exit quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
What is a digital map?

Correct answer: a map that can be used on a computer
a map that has been drawn by hand
a paper map with digital symbols

Q2.
Which of these terms is used for moving around a digital map with your mouse cursor?

Correct answer: pan
pass
pin
post

Q3.
What does GIS stand for?

geographic intelligence system
Correct answer: geographic information system
geographic instruction system

Q4.
What does the 'Swipe' function on the Geography Visualiser allow you to do?

Measure the distance between places
Measure the area of shape drawn on the map
Correct answer: Compare two map layers by sliding a divider across them
Change the view from 2D to 3D