Scoilnet Maps is now available in all primary and post-primary schools on the Schools Broadband Network and can also be accessed from home by means of a teacher scoilnet account. It now features a comprehensive range of Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSi) maps, world maps and lots of GIS data that can be viewed as “layers” over the maps.
This fantastic resource is available at http://maps.scoilnet.ie
Some restrictions apply to viewing the OSi maps outside of school. Teachers can use their Scoilnet Account to log-in and view those maps from non-school locations. The World mapping however has no restrictions and is openly accessible both within and outside of school.
The Scoilnet Maps website provides all primary and post-primary schools on the Schools Broadband Network with access to very high quality, digital Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSi) maps, World maps and aerial photographs. It is a highly interactive, visual and engaging tool that brings maps to life within the classroom. It is fast, responsive and has a simple interface that is suitable for students of all ages. It contains a suite of tools for use with the maps that support a wide variety of subjects, including Geography, History and Maths.
It contains historical mapping from 1829 through to 2010 and offers plenty of opportunities to look at change over time. It brings together a subset of curriculum-relevant, public sector data in a manner that is appropriate for teaching and learning. There are some fantastic screencast videos on the site that shows you how to use and manipulate the various tools.
Google maps facilitates cross-curricular teaching and learning within the primary classroom. Specifically, it can support students’ skills development in terms of a sense of place and space, the use of maps and geographical investigation skills (Geography), change and continuity, time and chronology (History) and the use of draw and measure tools to support mathematical activities with regard to area, length, shape and space.
For post-primary teachers and students, it features the highly detailed, 1:50,000 OSi Discovery mapping and aerial photography, both of which are directly relevant to the Junior and Leaving Certificate Geography curricula.
It directly supports the teaching and application of geographical skills as specified in the curriculum, i.e., map and aerial photograph interpretation, the use of satellite imagery in the examination of large areas of the physical and cultural landscape, census of population data and GIS.
It offers opportunities to support students undertaking GIS investigations, for example, the use of aerial photographs, census material and maps in the study of urban sprawl, or the use of maps, aerial photographs, and the record of monuments and places in the study of the destruction of archaeological sites.
