Introduction to ICT in Geography (Weather Lessons)

This is an introduction to Weather generally, recording weather and organising a 'Weather Watch Week', which would provide the opportunity for pupils and teachers to record the weather on a day-to-day basis and compare it with the recorded data from local weather stations and/or the met office. In these activities, children use the Internet to obtain weather data for different localities. They enter the data into a spreadsheet and use the results to construct simple charts/graphs that summarise the weather in different localities.

What will the children learn?

Children will learn:
•  there is a relationship between the weather data and the location
•  that data can be collected at their school
•  how local data compares with other localities gleaned from the Internet
•  a spreadsheet can show patterns, similarities and differences in data.

Resources: Web sites for weather forecasts / reports:

Met office: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ - options (click underlined option)

Regional forecasts: NE Scotland � Dundee - 5 day location forecast
Weather observations Scotland actual weather details
Surface pressure charts - Weather forecast up to T+60 (time + 60 hours)

BBC www.bbc.co.uk/weather

UK & World 5 day forecast � type Dundee and click Go

Weather diary: Download diary

This diary can be used to record the weather for each day. It can be used to compare the forecast and the recorded data / charts. A class demonstration of the websites to be used and the main features of weather forecasting should take place before the main activity of completing the diary.

Class Demonstration of web sites / forecasts

Equipment:- you will need a PC or laptop, a network data connection, a projector and a blank wall. Procedure :-

1. Connect all hardware and switch on.
2. Log on to the computer / network using your identity and password.
3. Double click on Internet Explorer (browser) or click Start � Programs - Internet Explorer (browser)
4. Type in the web address For example - www.metoffice.gov.uk and press enter.

Resources: Help notes (Word document) How to put Weather station data into a Spreadsheet

This document contains information on how to Open a weather data file in an Excel spreadsheet and use the data to create Excel charts. These charts can be used to compare data from other sources or locations. Download notes..

Resources: Web sites with Help on How to put Tabular data into a Spreadsheet

If you find a web page with information about a historic event, a specific location, or a scientific phenomena, it is likely that you would like to write a report or prepare a study guide using some of this information. In these situations you may have to select portions of the text for your report, which is being composed with a word processor. one technique for displaying tabular data on a web page is through preformatted text. For information on moving preformatted data into a Spreadsheet, look at the Landmarks for Schools site.

This technique can be used with data from websites such as the National Earthquake Information Centre. To find out more ..