Thursday, March 17, 2016

How map data saves lives

How Do You Start Mapping Unmapped Streets?

Click on the embedded link above to read the article and see photos on the NPR website.

This article is about a project aimed at gathering map data in developing countries. Word count: 785

Before reading:
  
General Knowledge:
  • What is Google Street View? Have you ever used it?
  • Can you find Tanzania on a map? Dar es Salaam is its largest city. Where is this city?
    
Speculate:
  • In addition to helping individual people navigate, what might be the benefits of having good map data for a city? In other words, why are detailed city maps necessary?
   
After reading:
   
Review and discuss:
  • Write a 3-4 sentence summary of this article. Begin your summary with "This article is about…".
  • Why do you think developing countries are less likely to be mapped by Google?
  • Make a list of the uses of map data mentioned in the article. Do any of these surprise you?
  • The article says that over 260 people have volunteered to take pictures or video of the roads in Dar es Salaam. What do you think motivates these volunteers?
  • What kinds of tools and training do you think these volunteers might need?
  • In your opinion, what was the most interesting thing mentioned in this article? Why?
    
Reflect and evaluate:
  • What kinds of natural disasters is your area prone to? What kinds of help do people need when they happen?
  • Are there unmapped areas where you live? Why?
  • How might maps created by ordinary citizens be different than maps created by big companies like Google?
  • What areas of your town are growing or changing the most quickly? Why?
  • Is there anything else you'd like to know about this topic? Do you have any questions that weren't answered in the article?
  • What vocabulary words were new to you in this article? Make a record of what you have learned.
    
Beyond the page


Join the conversation: add your thoughts about this article in the comments section below.

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