Lesson 3. Data Collection and GIS Introduction

Students will be able to:

Compare and contrast socio-economic variables for two counties using census data maps from 1900 to 1920.

Introduction of activity
- Explain: Students will use the GIS tool to study the socio-economic circumstances of African American migrants in more depth.
- The task is to gather EVIDENCE from letters, maps, and images in support of specific INFERENCES about the Great Migration.
- There are two main features to the GIS tool: 1) a documents archive and 2) an interactive GIS data map (Geographic Information System).

Introduction to the GIS tool
- Using the overhead, introduce students to the GIS for History web site (http://www.gisforhistory.org)
- Show how to find the "Great Migration" project
- Familiarize students with the basic operations of the website GIS map tool
Guided GIS data analysis
- Distribute copies of County Comparison Worksheet
- Demonstrate data collection for Cook County, IL together:
  - Choose variable and decade
  - Find Cook County at proper zoom level
  - Click on Cook County to query selected data
  - Record data on County Comparison Worksheet
  - Make observation about data & change over time
- Data collection with gisforhistory.org
  - Students work individually or in pairs
  - Finish data collection for Cook County, IL
  - Turn on the Great Migration Letters layer in the GIS map
  - Choose a Southern county from which their Great Migration Letter was sent
  - Complete page 2 of County Comparison Worksheet for selected Southern county