New
New
Year 11
AQA

Using GIS for human geography fieldwork

I can use GIS to visualise and analyse human geography fieldwork data.

New
New
Year 11
AQA

Using GIS for human geography fieldwork

I can use GIS to visualise and analyse human geography fieldwork data.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

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

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

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

Common misconception

Understanding IMD rankings and comparing them with primary data can be challenging.

Make sure students are aware of the challenges of ranking and other attributes where a low number can be a positive thing (similar issue with some measures of development such as IMD).


To help you plan your year 11 geography lesson on: Using GIS for human 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.

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - outdoor learning

Supervision

Adult supervision required

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 keywords to their definitions:

Correct Answer:Hypothesis,A statement you test through fieldwork

A statement you test through fieldwork

Correct Answer:Primary data,Data you collect yourself in the field

Data you collect yourself in the field

Correct Answer:Secondary data,Data someone else has already collected

Data someone else has already collected

Q2.
Why do geographers carry out fieldwork?

To practise walking
Correct answer: To test geographical ideas in the real world
To make up data for reports
To avoid classroom work

Q3.
Which of these is primary data?

Census data
Old OS maps
Correct answer: Interviews you conduct
Weather app forecast

Q4.
Which of these is secondary data?

Photos you take
River speed you measure
Correct answer: Rainfall records from the Met Office
Surveys done by your group

Q5.
What’s the purpose of a risk assessment?

To plan your data table
To find out who’s in your group
To avoid collecting data
Correct answer: To reduce danger during fieldwork

Q6.
Which method collects qualitative data?

Correct answer: A questionnaire about opinions
Measuring river width
Recording temperatures
Counting vehicles

Assessment exit quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords with their description:

Correct Answer:georeferenced,Tied to a location using latitude and longitude

Tied to a location using latitude and longitude

Correct Answer:bearing,Angle clockwise from north, 0° to 359°

Angle clockwise from north, 0° to 359°

Correct Answer:attribute,Data value linked to a GIS feature

Data value linked to a GIS feature

Q2.
Which of these is a georeferenced source?

A hand-drawn sketch
A paper questionnaire
Correct answer: A digital map with location data
A weather forecast read aloud

Q3.
A bearing is measured clockwise from .

Correct Answer: north

Q4.
Why might IMD rankings be hard to understand in GIS?

Low numbers always mean bad things
High numbers always mean success
Correct answer: Students may not know low IMD ranks show more deprivation
All maps show the same thing

Additional material

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