Given the number of complex and significant problems and questions facing society as it seeks to manage the natural and human environment, and the vast quantities of data describing these issues the need for tools to help us make decisions about the world we live in is more pressing than ever. Geographical information systems provide a means to handle this information in an effective way and help to address many of the concerns facing society. Geographical information systems enable different kinds of data describing our world to be brought together and analysed in an integrated way to assist in decision making.
GIS is one of the most rapidly growing and significant branches of geography. It involves the application of information technology to the task of understanding and managing the world around us. A computer-based GIS is capable of capturing, storing, manipulating, analysing and presenting geographical information about the characteristics and distribution of features in the physical and human environments.
The following pages provide overviews and introductions to
the technology and applications of GIS. For further assistance in getting to grips
with GIS, please see our GIS Training page, which includes details of the Kingston Centre
for GIS Distance Learning Programme and forthcoming INSET events.
| GIS: Making sense of the world around us | A basic introduction to the key principles, techniques and applications of the rapidly expanding field of GIS. |
| An introduction to GIS and geospatial data | A comprehensive overview of the fundamental concepts associated with geographical data handling using information technology. The resource includes a general overview, glossary and list of acronyms. |
| Introduction to Geographical Information Systems | Module One from the Kingston Centre for GIS Professional Training Programme. This provides an overview of the chief concepts involved in GIS. For further details of the Professional Training Programme, click here. |
| Introductory presentations on GIS | Acrobat presentations on the basic principles and applications of GIS. The files can be downloaded for use in your own teaching environment. |
| Geomatics.org.uk - Free resources for Schools | Geomatics is the modern term for the surveying and mapping sciences and GIS has a major part to play. Geomatics.org.uk has free resources for use in schools as well as a dedicated Teachers' Area in the website. Find out more about geomatics and GIS at geomatics.org.uk |