The Scoilnet Maps World Viewer has had a fairly big update, with new maps, data layers, and tools for teachers and students to try out.
The viewer has been developed by Scoilnet in partnership with Esri Ireland. There is quite a lot that could be used in the classroom, particularly when covering topics such as cities, population, landscapes, and natural hazards.
One of the main changes is the new basemap gallery. You can now choose from:
- Esri Streets
- Esri Topographical
- Esri Aerial
- Open Streets
The Open Streets option should be useful for students preparing for the Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate exams. It gives them a chance to become familiar with a clear street-based map.
It is also interesting to switch between the different basemaps and look at how the same place appears on each one. The aerial map can be useful for looking at land use and settlement, while the topographical map gives a clearer picture of physical features and elevation.
There is also a good selection of data layers that can be added to the maps. These now include:
- World Heritage Sites
- World Countries
- Cities of the World, including population changes over time
- World Administrative Districts
- River Flooding in Ireland, using information from the Office of Public Works
- Coastal Flooding in Ireland, also using information from the Office of Public Works
- Active Hurricanes, Cyclones and Typhoons
- Recent Earthquakes
- Global Ecoregions and Biomes
There are plenty of ways these could be used in a geography lesson. Students could look at population change in different cities or explore the connection between tourism and World Heritage Sites. The natural hazards layers are also worth trying, as students can locate recent earthquakes, follow active tropical storms, and look at areas of Ireland that may be at risk of river or coastal flooding.
You can combine layers too. For example, students might compare the location of major cities with physical environments, administrative boundaries, or areas affected by natural hazards.
The viewer also comes with interactive tools for measuring, comparing maps, and exploring geographical information. This means students can do more than simply find a place on a map. They can look for patterns, compare locations, and use the information they find to come up with their own conclusions.
You can find scoilnet maps at https://maps.scoilnet.ie/