Introduction to Online Topographic Maps

Mark Bowen

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh

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Initial Publication Date: November 24, 2014 | Reviewed: July 21, 2015 (see revision history: 2 events)

Summary

Students use geoPDFs and Google Earth topographic map layers to conduct a variety of measurements and answer questions

Fluvial | College Introductory

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Context

Audience

The activity is used in an online undergraduate introductory physical geography course. The focus of the course is landforms and soils. The course is predominantly composed of non-majors.

Skills and concepts that students must have mastered

None, but familiarity with topographic maps would help

How the activity is situated in the course

This is a stand-alone exercise that reinforces concepts introduced in lecture.

Goals

Content/concepts goals for this activity

Become familiar with the information presented on a digital topographic map and how to interpret that information
Interpret information included in a topographic map
Measure distance on a digital topographic map
Calculate area
Determine precise coordinates

Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity

Other skills goals for this activity

Description of the activity/assignment

This is a basic introductory online exercises that introduces students to digital topographic maps. Students download a geoPDF from the National Map and install the TerraGo geoPDF toolbar. They use the toolbar to conduct a series of measurements. Students then import the historical topographic map layer into Google Earth and use a variety of tools to conduct measurements.

Determining whether students have met the goals

Students complete the exercise during the week it is assigned. Upon completion of the laboratory exercise, students must complete an online quiz that consists of the same questions in the exercise. The online quiz is within the Desire 2 Learn (D2L) online learning platform, so answers are automatically graded and imported into the student's grade book.

More information about assessment tools and techniques.

Teaching materials and tips

Activity Description/Assignment: Introduction to Online Topographic Maps exercise (Microsoft Word 2007 (.docx) 29kB Nov23 14)

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Instructors Notes:
This exercise was developed for an online class and intended for students to work independently. While the exercise is specific to the Oshkosh, Wisconsin 7.5' USGS topographic map, the exercise could easily be modified for a different region. Students must be able to install the TerraGo toolbar on the computer, so they may not be able to answer all questions if it is not currently installed and they are prevented from installing software on campus computers. Additionally, I do not believe the TerraGo toolbar will function properly on most tablet computers.
Solution Set:
Introduction to Online Topographic Maps answer key -- private instructor-only file