New
New
Year 10
Edexcel B

Using GIS to visualise data in a webmap

I can visualise data in a webmap using basemaps, filters and buffers.

New
New
Year 10
Edexcel B

Using GIS to visualise data in a webmap

I can visualise data in a webmap using basemaps, filters and buffers.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. GIS can be used to add and visualise georeferenced data in a webmap.
  2. GIS uses a variety of basemaps which need to be selected carefully to visualise data effectively.
  3. GIS uses filters to select data in a layer to visualise spatial patterns more clearly and avoid cluttering a webmap.
  4. GIS uses tools such as buffers to create visualisations which support analysis of data.

Keywords

  • Geographic information system - GIS: a computer-based system that captures, visualises and analyses geographic data to help understand spatial patterns

  • Webmap - an online GIS map which is often interactive or can be created or saved by the user online (‘in the cloud’)

  • Basemap - a standalone foundational map used in GIS as a webmap background for other data layers to be added

  • Filter - the selection of data in a GIS layer to visualise spatial patterns more clearly and avoid cluttering a webmap

  • Buffer - in GIS, an area generated by analysis tools for a specified distance around a point, line or polygon feature

Common misconception

Students will sometimes select basemaps because they like their appearance.

Students need to appreciate that some of the basemaps which may be least appealing at first sight provide much more effective visualisation. They are like the canvas for a painting.


To help you plan your year 10 geography lesson on: Using GIS to visualise data in a webmap, 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

  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

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:mean,The average value of a set of numbers

The average value of a set of numbers

Correct Answer:median,The middle value in a set of ordered numbers

The middle value in a set of ordered numbers

Correct Answer:mode,The number that appears most frequently

The number that appears most frequently

Correct Answer:range,The difference between the highest and lowest values

The difference between the highest and lowest values

Q2.
Which of these is a discrete data type?

Correct answer: Number of buses passing a point in 10 minutes
Temperature recorded every 5 minutes
Distance from a town centre
Rainfall in mm

Q3.
What type of graph is best for showing changes over time?

Pie chart
Correct answer: Line graph
Scatter graph
Bar chart

Q4.
Scatter graphs are useful for showing the between two variables.

Correct Answer: relationship

Q5.
Which of the following shows categorical data?

Correct answer: Type of land use (residential, industrial, commercial)
River depth in centimetres
Distance from source to mouth
Temperature of different rivers

Q6.
What is an anomaly in a data set?

The smallest number
Correct answer: A value that doesn’t fit the expected pattern
A value repeated most often
The difference between two values

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords to their definitions:

Correct Answer:GIS,A computer system that analyses geographic data

A computer system that analyses geographic data

Correct Answer:webmap,A map made and viewed online with interactive layers

A map made and viewed online with interactive layers

Correct Answer:basemap,A visual background for layers in a GIS

A visual background for layers in a GIS

Correct Answer:filter,A way to reduce clutter by showing selected data only

A way to reduce clutter by showing selected data only

Correct Answer:buffer,An area created around a feature by a set distance

An area created around a feature by a set distance

Q2.
Which of the following is not a good reason to apply a filter?

To highlight patterns
Correct answer: To make the webmap look more colourful
To remove clutter
To display specific data types

Q3.
What is one limitation of using highly detailed basemaps in GIS analysis?

Correct answer: They can distract from the data layers
They make filters impossible
They slow down the internet
They do not work with shapefiles

Q4.
Why should students not choose a basemap just because it looks nice?

Teachers prefer boring maps
Correct answer: It might not show features clearly for analysis
It uses too much data
Filters don’t work with it

Additional material

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