App Ed Review
Review Overview
A. Instruction - 8.6
B. Design - 8.5
C. Engagement - 8.7
8.6
OpenStreetMap: A Tool for Maps
Summary : Customize that Map!
OpenStreetMap is a map of the world users can browse and edit. To begin, users must first register with OpenStreetMap by providing a username and email address. Once registered, users can view the map, and they can use the tools on the right of the screen to zoom in and out of the map, view their current location, modify the layers to view different types of maps (e.g., a Cycle, Transport, MapQuest, and Humanitarian view), access a legend for the symbols used in the Standard map view, share the map, and make notes. If users wish to add information to the map, they can tap the “Edit” button, choose the type of point of interest they wish to add (e.g., a point of interest for a restaurant, monument or another site; a line that designates a road, path, or other transportation route; or an area like a park, building, or lake), add the information and tags for the point of interest. Once complete, users must click the “Save” button to record their edits, and then they can see them on the map. At this point, users can see all the edits they added to the map by clicking the “History” button, and they can download the map using the “Export” button.
Instructional Ideas
- When learning where a historical event took place, teachers can have students use this website to find the event’s location. Once they do, students can search to see if any notes were made about the event at its location. If so, they can review the accuracy of those notes. If no notes are posted, students can add notes to the location as related to the event.
- To familiarize themselves with this website and its functionalities, teachers can have students view their hometown or the area where their school is located on the map. Next, teachers can have each student add a point of interest and a note to the map. As they do, the teacher can make sweeps of the room while checking student work and answering any questions students may have.
- When reading about a current event, teachers can have students view the event’s location on this map. Next, students can analyze the location in relation to the current event and decide if the location has had any impact on the event. If an impact is identified, students can write a short paragraph explaining the impact or teachers can use this opportunity as a springboard into a class discussion.
- Students can be assigned a country and then view the country on the map. As they view it, students are responsible for reading the different points of interest and notes about the country that appear on the map. If students find any incorrect information on the map, they can correct the information or add new information.
- In a lesson about maps, teachers can show students the different maps offered by this website using the “Layers” button. For each map, teachers can discuss when it would be appropriate to use. As they present the maps, teachers can ask students to provide examples regarding when they would use a certain type of map.
| A1. Rigor | |
| A2. 21st Century Skills | |
| A3. Conn. to Future Learning | |
| A4. Value of Errors | |
| A5. Feedback to Teacher | |
| A6. Level of Material | |
| A7. Cooperative Learning | |
| A8. Accom. of Individual Diff. |
| B1. Ability to Save Progress | |
| B2. Platform Integration | |
| B3. Screen Design | |
| B4. Ease of Use | |
| B5. Navigation | |
| B6. Goal Orientation | |
| B7. Information Presentation | |
| B8. Media Integration | |
| B9. Cultural Sensitivity |
| C1. Learner Control | |
| C2. Interactivity | |
| C3. Pace | |
| C4. Flexibility | |
| C5. Interest | |
| C6. Aesthetics | |
| C7. Utility |
Screenshots
