What Is Digimaps for Schools?
Digimaps for Schools is a subscription-based, interactive online mapping service provided by EDINA, part of the University of Edinburgh. The platform gives schools access to a rich database of maps, including:
- Ordnance Survey maps
- Historical maps
- Geological maps
- Aerial imagery
Teachers can use Digimaps for Schools to create engaging lessons, allowing students to explore real-world scenarios through spatial data visualization.
Key Features of Digimap for Schools
- Comprehensive Map Access: Users can explore a wide range of Ordnance Survey maps of Great Britain at various scales, including detailed large-scale maps and historical maps from the 1890s and 1950s. This feature allows students to study geographical changes over time and understand the development of human and physical landscapes.
- Aerial Imagery: The platform offers high-resolution aerial photographs, providing a bird’s-eye view of landscapes. This feature aids in the visual analysis of geographical features and land use patterns.
- Annotation and Measurement Tools: Students can annotate maps with symbols, text, and drawings, enhancing their understanding of spatial relationships. Measurement tools enable the calculation of distances and areas, supporting mathematical learning objectives.
- Data Overlays: Additional data layers, such as place names, postcodes, and time zones, can be superimposed on maps, enriching the learning experience and providing context for various subjects.
- User-Friendly Interface: With a single login for the entire school and no need for software installation, Digimap for Schools is easily accessible. Its intuitive design ensures that both teachers and students can navigate the platform with ease.
Educational Benefits Of Digimaps for schools
- Enhancing Spatial Literacy: By interacting with diverse maps and geospatial data, students develop critical spatial thinking skills, which are essential for understanding geography and related disciplines.
- Cross-Curricular Applications: The platform’s versatility supports a range of subjects. For instance, historical maps can be used in history lessons to examine past landscapes, while measurement tools can assist in mathematics education.
- Fieldwork Integration: Students can collect data during field trips and use Digimap for Schools to plot and analyze their findings, fostering a practical understanding of data collection and interpretation.
- Supporting the National Curriculum: Digimaps for schools alignes with the national curricula of the UK, Digimap for Schools aids in teaching location knowledge, understanding human and physical geography, and developing geographical skills and fieldwork techniques.
How Does Digimaps for Schools Work?
Digimaps for Schools is accessible through a straightforward subscription model. After subscribing, schools can:
- Log in using institutional credentials.
- Access a range of maps and tools.
- Customize lesson plans using mapping features.
Students can access Digimaps either in the classroom or at home, ensuring continuity in learning.
Examples of Classroom Applications:
- Geography: Exploring river systems or urban development.
- History: Comparing historical and contemporary maps of a region.
- Mathematics: Measuring distances and areas.
- Literacy: Writing narratives based on map explorations.
Digimaps For Schools Access And Subscriptions
Digimap for Schools operates on a subscription model, granting unlimited access to all teachers and students within a subscribing institution. The annual subscription fees are structured as follows:
- Primary Schools: £114 per year (excluding VAT)
- Secondary Schools: £184 per year (excluding VAT)
- International/All-Through Schools: £218 per year (excluding VAT)
How to Subscribe To Digimaps For Schools
Digimap for Schools offers a straightforward subscription process, ensuring seamless access for educational institutions. Here’s an overview of the steps involved:
- Online Subscription Form: An authorized staff member from your school can complete the subscription form available on the Digimap for Schools website.
- Required Information: Prepare the following details for the subscription process:
- School Postcode: The complete postal code of your institution.
- Authorized Contact: Name and email address of a staff member who can agree to the Terms and Conditions and will receive correspondence.
- Generic School Email: A general school email address (not personal) and the finance contact’s name to receive the invoice approximately 30 days after subscription.
- Additional Contacts: Optional email addresses of other staff members to receive updates on training and resources.
- Financial Details: Your school’s VAT registration number, company number, and charity number, if applicable.
- Payment Information:
- Payment Method: Payments are made to The University of Edinburgh via bank transfer. Please note, cheque payments are not accepted.
- Payment Terms: Invoices are issued with a 30-day payment term.
- Purchase Orders: If a purchase order is required, include the purchase order number in the online subscription form; it will appear on your invoice.
Digimaps For Schools Access and Usage
- Login Credentials: Upon subscription, your school’s designated contact will receive a single username and password via email. This unified login allows unlimited access for all teachers and students within the institution.
- Unlimited Use: There is no limit to the number of users or the frequency of access. Students and teachers can utilize the service both at school and home, facilitating continuous learning.
Digimaps For Schools Free Trial
For schools interested in evaluating the service before committing, Digimap for Schools offers a 30-day free trial. This trial provides full access to all features, enabling institutions to assess the platform’s suitability for their educational needs.
Technical Requirements To Be Able Access Digimaps For Schools
Digimap for Schools is designed to work with the latest versions of popular web browsers, including Edge, Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. It is also compatible with Safari on iPads running the latest iOS. No additional software installation is required, ensuring easy integration into your school’s existing IT infrastructure.
Support and Training for Digimap for Schools
Digimap for Schools recognizes that effective use of its platform can greatly enhance teaching and learning. To support educators, it offers comprehensive training and support resources tailored to different needs and levels of expertise. These resources ensure that teachers can confidently integrate the platform into their lessons and maximize its educational value. Here’s how support and training are provided:
- Live Training Sessions
- Digimap for Schools organizes interactive live webinars and training sessions led by experts.
- These sessions guide educators through the platform’s features, tools, and functionalities.
- Participants can ask questions, get real-time answers, and explore practical ways to use the platform in teaching various subjects.
- Recorded Training Sessions
- Pre-recorded training videos are available for teachers who prefer to learn at their own pace.
- These videos cover everything from getting started with the platform to advanced features like customizing maps and using data overlays.
- Step-by-Step Tutorials
- Clear, easy-to-follow tutorials walk educators through specific tasks, such as measuring distances, annotating maps, or layering historical and modern maps.
- These tutorials are ideal for quick learning and addressing specific questions or challenges.
- User Guides and Manuals
- Comprehensive written guides are available to provide detailed explanations of every tool and feature.
- These resources act as a handy reference for educators looking to refresh their knowledge or explore a new aspect of the platform.
- Classroom Resources and Lesson Plans
- Digimap for Schools offers ready-made lesson plans, worksheets, and activities tailored to different age groups and subjects.
- These resources are designed to inspire teachers and make it easier to incorporate digital mapping into everyday teaching.
- FAQs and Help Desk
- A detailed FAQ section is available to address common questions and technical issues.
- For additional support, educators can contact the Digimap for Schools help desk, which provides prompt assistance via email or phone.
- Community Engagement
- Teachers can join an active community of educators who share their experiences, lesson ideas, and innovative uses of Digimap for Schools.
- This collaborative environment allows for the exchange of tips and best practices.
Join the conversation and find tutorials on their official YouTube channel
Comparing Digimaps to Alternatives
While Digimaps for Schools stands out, educators might also consider alternative mapping tools like Google Maps or ArcGIS. However, Digimaps offers unique educational features, such as historical map overlays and tailored teaching resources, making it a superior choice for schools.
| Feature | Digimaps for Schools | Google Maps | ArcGIS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Historical Maps | Yes | No | Limited |
| Educational Resources | Yes | No | Yes (advanced users) |
| Cost | Affordable Subscription | Free | Expensive |
| User Interface | Simple | Simple | Complex |
Success Stories of Digimaps in Schools
1. St. Peter’s Primary School (UK): Geography and Environmental Awareness
At St. Peter’s Primary School, the integration of Digimaps revolutionized how geography was taught. For a project on coastal erosion, students accessed contemporary and historical maps to observe changes along the coastline over decades. By measuring distances and identifying erosion hotspots, they could visualize how natural forces reshape the land.
To deepen their understanding, students proposed solutions, such as installing sea defenses or planting vegetation to reduce erosion. This hands-on approach not only taught geography but also instilled environmental responsibility. Teachers noted improved problem-solving skills, collaboration among peers, and an increased awareness of sustainability. Students left the project with a clearer understanding of human impact on the environment and actionable solutions.
2. Greenhill Secondary School: Bringing History to Life
At Greenhill Secondary School, history lessons transformed into an immersive experience with Digimaps. Students used the platform to explore World War I battlefields, overlaying historical maps with modern ones. For example, they examined maps of the Somme region to see trench locations and troop movements during the war.
Annotating maps with significant events and troop routes allowed students to visualize the challenges soldiers faced. They connected geography with history, understanding how terrain impacted strategy and outcomes. Teachers noted that this interactive method made history more engaging and tangible, moving beyond textbook learning. Students gained a new appreciation for the complexity of historical events and the importance of geography in shaping history.
3. Brookdale Academy: Mathematics Made Practical
Brookdale Academy redefined mathematics lessons by integrating Digimaps into practical applications. In one lesson, students used mapping tools to calculate distances between locations and the areas of irregular shapes, such as parks or city blocks. This real-world context made abstract mathematical concepts like perimeter, area, and scale much easier to grasp.
For instance, students were tasked with planning a cycling route around the local community. Using Digimaps, they measured the total distance, estimated time, and calculated the area covered by the route. Teachers observed a notable improvement in students’ ability to visualize and apply mathematical concepts to real-life scenarios.
Frequently Asked Questions On Digimaps For Schools
What is Digimap for Schools, and how does it benefit education?
Digimap for Schools is an online mapping service designed to provide schools with access to detailed Ordnance Survey maps, historical maps, and aerial imagery. It supports learning in subjects like geography, history, mathematics, and literacy by enhancing spatial thinking, fostering cross-curricular engagement, and encouraging interactive learning.
How do schools subscribe to Digimap for Schools?
Schools can subscribe through an online form on the Digimap for Schools website. The process requires minimal effort and includes providing school details, contact information, and payment preferences. Once subscribed, the school receives a single login for unlimited access for teachers and students.
Can students and teachers use Digimap for Schools outside the classroom?
Yes, the platform allows unlimited access from any location. Students and teachers can log in from home or during field trips, making it a flexible tool for both classroom-based and remote learning activities.
Does Digimap for Schools align with national curricula?
Yes, the platform is designed to support the national curricula of the UK. It helps teach location knowledge, human and physical geography, and geographical skills. The platform also offers resources and tools to align lessons with specific curriculum objectives.
What support is available for teachers using Digimap for Schools?
Digimap for Schools provides comprehensive support, including live training sessions, recorded tutorials, user guides, FAQs, and ready-made lesson plans. Teachers can also access a help desk for technical assistance and join a community of educators to share ideas and experiences.
Conclusions On Digimaps For Schools
Thank you for taking the time to read this article on Digimap for Schools. We hope it has provided you with valuable insights into how this innovative platform can enhance education by fostering spatial literacy, cross-curricular learning, and interactive teaching.
If you found this guide helpful, please share it with friends, family, or colleagues who might benefit from using Digimap for Schools. Sharing this information could help more educators and students unlock the platform’s full potential.
We also encourage you to leave a comment below! Share your thoughts, ask questions, or tell us how you’ve used Digimap for Schools in your learning or teaching journey. Your feedback and experiences can inspire others and foster a community of engaged learners and educators.
Together, let’s spread the word about the incredible possibilities of Digimap for Schools!