teaching the census through gis · data download •census data by chosen geography •select...
TRANSCRIPT
Teaching the Census through GIS
Scottish Association of Geography
teachers
29th October 2016
Cecilia Macintyre, National Records of Scotland
Tom Macintyre, University of Edinburgh
What we will cover:
• What the resource is and how it came about
• Who it is aimed at
• What the scheme of lessons cover
• Work through a lesson together
• Discussion of next steps
Introduction
What is ‘Teaching the Census through GIS’?
• A scheme of 8 lessons teaching students how to access census data and use QGIS, a free GIS software.
• A lesson scheme already existed but solely focussed on England and Wales census data and aimed at their curriculum. The England and Wales section was funded through the RGS ‘Innovative Geography Teaching Grant’ scheme.
• The existing resource has been adapted to use Scottish census data and to fit in with the Scottish curriculum. The Scottish section has been added to the same website but under separate menus; noting this is work-in-progress.
Why was the resource created?
• The Scottish census provides a vast supply of relevant and easily accessible data but is under-used within the curriculum.
• With technology advancing rapidly it is important that the material taught to students is kept up to date with the changes. GIS is one of the common technologies used in modern day geography and other sectors.
• These lessons aim to educate students in accessing census data and using QGIS to prepare them not only for their programme of study but for further study/employment.
Who are the lessons aimed at?
• Predominantly aimed at Higher and Advanced Higher Geography students?
• The lesson schemes also cover material from Modern Studies
• Fits in with various cross-curricular aims – although the literacy, numeracy and technology references are general aimed at Broad General Education this resource helps to continue students’ development in those areas.
What is included within the resource?
• 8 lessons with:o lesson plans (including estimated timings; although
somewhat unrealistic at times)o presentationso worksheetso instruction documents o datasets
• Support guides for teachers to enable you to become more comfortable with the technology and material before teaching
• Scheme of work
Walkthrough of Website
https://censusgis.wordpress.com/resources-for-scotland/
Lesson 1Lesson 1S provides an introduction to various issues across Scotland and the UK by using newspaper articles and encouraging discussion amongst the class. This then leads onto a brief introduction to the census, what type of questions are asked and some of the controversy that surrounds it.
• Lesson Plan• Presentation• Worksheet• 4 News Articles
Support Guides
This section contains a selection of support guides covering using the QGIS software, the Scotland’s Census website and Microsoft Excel. They cover the knowledge required for this course and hopefully provide you with a good foundation to go on and further explore.
We recommend teachers look through the teacher support guides to familiarise themselves with the material before using this course in their classes.
Scheme of WorkThe following scheme of work provides an overview of the lesson aims, activities, resources and objectives for the 8 lessons.
Students may find some of the lesson activities take longer or shorter than the allocated time and might need to continue following instructions independently outside of the classroom.
Each lesson is accompanied by a reflective homework requiring students to respond to the guiding questions or post their completed work from the lesson on their blog (set up in the first lesson).
Lesson Demonstration
We will work through Lessons 4S and 5S: Introduction to QGIS and Making a map in QGIS, building on Lesson 3S and GLOW Module 28
https://censusgis.wordpress.com/lesson-4s-introduction-to-qgis/
https://censusgis.wordpress.com/lesson-5s-making-a-map-in-qgis/
https://glowscotland.sharepoint.com/sites/PLC/numeracyhub/SitePages/Module%2028.aspx?WikiPageMode=Edit&InitialTabId=Ribbon.EditingTools.CPEditTab&VisibilityContext=WSSWikiPage
Data download
• Census data by chosen geography
• Select geography by ‘code’
• Download raw data in .xlsx format
• Manipulate data in Excel to get suitable proportions for mapping, combining categories as necessary; save as .csv
What is QGIS
• QGIS is a free, open source Geographic Information System (GIS).
• GIS systems allow Geographic Information Scientists to work with a variety of different spatial data to extract meaning from raw numbers.
• They do much more than just allow us to make maps but maps are frequently the final output from a GIS analysis.
QGIS Screen
Map Window
BrowserPanel
LayersPanel
Sourcing Boundary data
We recommend downloading boundary data from:
• SASPAC (Small Area Statistics PACkage) - software package designed to facilitate the storage, interrogation, and analysis of small area statistics information produced by the UK Census OfficesSASPAC Census geography products
or
• UK Data Service websites (EDINA) that provides access to and support for, all census geography products 1971-2011.UK Data Service Census support
Layers
• All of the data (census attributes and boundaries) you bring into QGIS is stored in separate layers.
• The Layer Selection Window at the bottom left of the diagram on the previous slide allows you to select different layers and turn them on and off in the map window by clicking the black cross beside the layer name.
• This allows you to choose what information you wish to be displayed on the map.
Add Vector Layer Button – for adding boundary data in vector form.
Add Delimited Text Layer Button – for adding a .csv file.
Scrolling to different areas on the map.
For zooming in and out.
Zooms to the size of the layer which is selected in the layers panel.
Identifies a feature which you select and gives you the data on that area.
Allows you to remove unwanted layers.
QGIS Tools
Adding Boundary Data
There are various methods of loading the boundary data into QGIS:
• Click “Add Vector Layer” button and browse to your shapefile (.SHP)
• Click on the layer menu at the top, then ‘add layer’ menu and ‘add vector layer’.
• Select file to add boundary data to your map window; alternatively go to where you saved your boundary data in the browser window and drag the file into the layer window.
Adding Attribute Data
• Click “Add Delimited Text Layer” button and browse to your attribute file (.csv)
• Click on the layer menu at the top, then ‘Add Layer’ menu and ‘Add Delimited Text Layer’.
• Select file to add attribute data as a new layer in your map window; alternatively go to where you saved your attribute data in the browser window and drag the file into the layer window.
Combining Attributes and Boundary Data
Joining attribute data to vector data is perhaps the most fundamental skill in vector-based GIS.
From the layers window – select the boundary data (Vector-based) and within properties, pick JOINS option and
… to join the Attribute data (.csv file of Census data inserted as a layer)
Identify The first column in the data contains the codes for the Geography Areas – the rest of the file contains the data for a range of variables.
save it once you’re done!
OpenLayers Plugin
• This plugin allows you to add a base map to view some contextual information such as the names of towns and cities.
• Have a look at the different options available and see which one you prefer best.
• You may find that your health map obscures your base map – to fix this, you should alter the transparency of your health map by right clicking your shapefile layer, selecting ‘Properties’ and then under the ‘Style’ tab, moving the transparency slider along to around 40 or 50%.
• Remember to save your project.
Next steps
• Identify resources to further develop material
• Set up a CPD event to gather views on how the material should be amended
https://censusgis.wordpress.com/
Any Questions?
Further information
• All data available at: http://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk
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• @NatRecordsScot @celiamac58 @lol_edinburgh