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Year 10
AQA

Using and interpreting spatial data

I can interpret spatial data shown in a variety of map styles.

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New
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Year 10
AQA

Using and interpreting spatial data

I can interpret spatial data shown in a variety of map styles.

Download all resources
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Share activities with pupils
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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Spatial data can be shown on a map using points, lines and polygons.
  2. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) create maps that can show many forms of spatial data.
  3. There are some styles of maps that show spatial data in specific ways.

Keywords

  • Spatial data - data that is assigned to a specific location

  • GIS - Geographical Information System: software that create maps of spatial data, as well as digital tools to analyse it

  • Choropleth shading - using density of colour on a map to show the density of data spatially

  • Isoline - a line on a map that joins points that have the same value

Common misconception

GIS and long-hand, paper-based mapping have the same value.

While it is very possible to create representations of spatial data on paper using layers of tracing paper over a base map, the real value of GIS is its ability to analyse data quickly and be edited once the map has been digitally created.

As students create their first map of spatial data (such as a choropleth or isoline map), keep the nature of the data as simple as possible. Once the technique has been mastered, students may like to experiment with multiple layers of data.
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This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on
Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What are the names of the imaginary lines that run horizontally and vertically across Earth's surface?
gridlines
eastings and northings
southings and westings
Correct answer: latitudes and longitudes
Q2.
What might be included on a map that shows the physical environment?
Correct answer: relief
Correct answer: rivers and lakes
road junctions
state or province boundaries
buildings
Q3.
Cartography is the study and creation of .
Correct Answer: maps
Q4.
Another term to describe data that is concentrated in one place is to say it is ...
sparse.
Correct answer: clustered.
established.
powerful.
Q5.
What is a transect?
Correct answer: An imaginary line along which geographical data is collected.
A pole that is put in the ground to mark the start of the data collection.
A place where data is collected systematically.
A section of a pie chart.
Q6.
Spatial density refers to ...
the mass of something in relation to its size.
how much space there is between data collection points.
how much space it takes for data to be reliable at a certain scale.
Correct answer: the amount of something in a set unit of space.

Exit quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
Choropleth shading is defined by ...
Correct answer: different shades (dark to light) of the same colour.
the rainbow spectrum of colour.
the darkest shades of a range of colours.
the lightest shades of a range of colours.
Q2.
In what ways do GIS maps have an advantage over paper maps?
Data shown on a GIS map cannot be edited or deleted.
Data plotted on GIS maps can use a wider colour spectrum.
Correct answer: Data on GIS maps can be plotted with greater accuracy.
Plotting data on a GIS map takes more time and patience.
Q3.
The three types of GIS data on a map are point, line and data.
Correct Answer: polygon
Q4.
What is a defining feature of a desire line map?
Correct answer: The lines go in a straight path from the origin to the destination.
The lines are thicker if they are representing a smaller flow of something.
The lines follow the exact path between the origin and the destination.
The lines only show estimated or projected data rather than the actual amounts.