MAPS101: K-12 SCHOOLS CAN VISUALIZE, COMPARE 2010 CENSUS DATA WITH INTERACTIVE MAPS

Santa Barbara, CA — [September 7, 2011] — Students wanting to see who makes up the population of their local area, or compare and contrast major cities, counties and states, can now do so in a new interactive feature in Maps101.

The Bing Maps launch with 9 data layers covering all 50 states. Users can compare up to 4 layers or locations at any one time, using the color coded legend to compare and contrast. The maps also include full Bing functionality meaning that using the built in layer transparency settings, teachers and students can pinpoint specific places or geographic features on the map which may help to interpret the data. For example, a highly populated area could be related to its location close to a water source or transport link.

The development comes as a result of consultations between subscribers and Maps101’s content development team. "Census data can provide relevance to students in history, geography, civics, and earth science among others. Our teachers wanted a visual tool that would enable them to quickly and simply display the information to the class," revealed Rob Burns, Marketing Director for the Maps.com group who publish Maps101.

"This serves to strengthen our cross-curricular functionality and adds yet more value to a Maps101 subscription," he continued. More data layers covering data such as income and home ownership are set to be added. "This type of tool adds relevance and meaning to benchmark data that students are hearing about every day in the news media".

Maps101 subscribers can access the census maps from the home page using their school or district login. Free trials are also available for educators from the site.

A video demonstration can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e77wa6beQTU&feature=feedu



Maps101 is an online, subscription based resource for multiple subjects. Content includes maps, videos, lesson plans, educational games, and atlases for use in History, Earth Science, Geography, Languages and more. Teachers, students and parents of subscriber schools receive unlimited access from any internet connected computer. Maps101 was formed in 1998 as a division of Maps.com.  For more information or media appointments contact Stephanie Jensen on 805 699 7507 or by email at stephanie@maps.com


back to Maps101 News