Teaching high school economics with interactive maps.

1. Presented by:
Becca Arnold
Assoc. Professor of Economics
and the
San Diego Center for Economic
Education Visualizing the
http://www.cceesandiego.org/
Economy
March 2, 2012

2. What is an interactive map?
 “a computer-based system that stores
geographically referenced data linked to
textual attributes (a database) and allows for
mapping, display, analysis, and modeling”
(http://www.fdlp.gov/administration/handbook/155-
appendixe)
 “A computer application used to store, view,
and analyze geographical information,
especially maps” (thefreedictionary.com)
 “A map you can click on” (Becca)
 Caveat: graphs and tables are part of these lessons

3. Why use interactive maps?
 Answer questions more thoroughly
http://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/index.php
 Eye-catching way for students to gain real-
world perspective
http://www.brightpointinc.com/Gallery/USTradeDeficit.as
 Practice critical thinking

4. Research findings
 Student interest
 Self-reported helpfulness of maps: 3.8/5
 Not all map usage equal…
 The more students “click” the better
 And not all maps equal…
 The less economic indicators per map, the better
 Caveats
 College students
 Old-style maps
 You tube video: type in “GIS beccasa” and you’ll
find it

5. What makes a “good” map?
 Reliable source
 Government statistics
 Visually“easy”
 Relatively current
 Downturn in economy makes this both a
challenge and an opportunity

6. About the curriculum
6 lessons
 One class period per lesson
 Review concept along with mapping
 Designed to be done in pairs
 Follow up questions included
 Appendices with map links

7. Let’s look over
visualizing unemployment!
 Butfirst turn to the section on County
unemployment and change that very
long url to: goo.gl/jJcyW

8. Developing a classroom
culture of maps
 Happens naturally with lessons if enough
time is given.
 Extra credit
 http://www.radicalcartography.net/9thcensus/9th35.jp
 http://www.usgovernmentspending.com/year_spendin

9. Thank you!
 Andbe sure to contact me with
questions: barnold@sdccd.edu