New
New
Year 11
AQA

Using 3D GIS for physical geography fieldwork

I can use 3D GIS to visualise and analyse physical geography fieldwork data.

New
New
Year 11
AQA

Using 3D GIS for physical geography fieldwork

I can use 3D GIS to visualise and analyse physical geography fieldwork data.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. 3D GIS can be used to visualise and configure primary georeferenced data attributes from physical geography fieldwork.
  2. 3D GIS visualisations can use attributes including bearing data to create proportional, orientated symbols.
  3. 3D GIS visualisations can be time-enabled using temporal data attributes to enhance the visualisation.
  4. 3D GIS visualisations of secondary data attributes such as flood risk data can be used to support fieldwork enquiry.

Keywords

  • Georeferenced - information which has been tied to a particular location (geolocated), using an agreed system such as latitude and longitude

  • Attribute - a data value associated with a feature or variable measure (‘field’) in a GIS layer

  • Bearing - an angle measured clockwise from north 0° to 359°, used to orientate attribute symbols to show direction

  • Elevation Profile - a GIS tool which visualises changes in height above or below sea level along a transect line

Common misconception

Missing a small step in procedural knowledge for GIS.

Emphasise the most likely pitfalls e.g. toggling 'Time'; configuring symbols and pop-ups


To help you plan your year 11 geography lesson on: Using 3D GIS for physical geography fieldwork, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

No matter what your level of experience is with GIS, go through all the steps yourself first until you feel confident and fluent. Don't worry if you make a mistake, everybody does, even experienced practitioners!
Teacher tip

Equipment

The lesson will require students to have access to a suitable IT device e.g. laptop. Some tasks would be facilitated by the students using a mouse for more effective and faster control of the cursor.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), 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.
Match the fieldwork keywords to their definitions:

Correct Answer:hypothesis,A statement that can be tested through investigation

A statement that can be tested through investigation

Correct Answer:sampling,A way of selecting who or what to include in data collection

A way of selecting who or what to include in data collection

Correct Answer:method,A clear step-by-step explanation of how data is collected

A clear step-by-step explanation of how data is collected

Correct Answer:conclusion,A summary of what the results show at the end of an enquiry

A summary of what the results show at the end of an enquiry

Q2.
A method describes how data will be .

Correct Answer: collected

Q3.
What does the conclusion of your fieldwork investigation explain?

The equipment used
The places you visited
Correct answer: Whether your hypothesis was supported or not
How to draw a pie chart

Q4.
Which of these is a quantitative method of collecting data?

Correct answer: Measuring footfall at different times of day
Taking photographs
Asking people how they feel about a place
Writing a description of a street

Q5.
Which of the following helps make data collection fair and reliable?

Asking only one person
Making up your results
Correct answer: Using a clear method and repeating measurements
Picking places you like best

Q6.
Which of these is a type of secondary data?

A survey you carried out
Notes you took in the field
Correct answer: A map or census data you found online
A traffic count you completed

Assessment exit quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords with their definitions:

Correct Answer:georeferenced,Data tied to a real-world location using coordinates

Data tied to a real-world location using coordinates

Correct Answer:attribute,Value linked to a GIS feature, like height or slope

Value linked to a GIS feature, like height or slope

Correct Answer:bearing,Angle showing direction from north in degrees

Angle showing direction from north in degrees

Correct Answer:elevation profile,Graph showing height changes along a path or line

Graph showing height changes along a path or line

Q2.
An elevation profile shows how the changes along a path.

Correct Answer: height

Q3.
What is one benefit of using 3D GIS in physical geography fieldwork?

Correct answer: It allows better visualisation of landscapes and terrain
It collects rainfall data
It can be used without coordinates
It replaces the need for primary data

Q4.
What’s a common issue when using 3D GIS for fieldwork?

Too much access to remote sensing data
Correct answer: Missing small steps like enabling ‘Time’ or configuring symbols
Collecting too much rainfall data
Using shapefiles instead of raster

Additional material

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