Digital tools for teaching Geography
- primarytechreview
- Aug 28
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 28
Geography aims to inspire and educate children about the world around them. This includes teaching children about the people of the world, its resources, natural and human environments, and physical and human processes. In this post, we explore some of the most useful and inspiring digital tools to help children understand these concepts.
I have linked each tool to the Geography objectives from the English national curriculum. Traditional methods of teaching Geography should also still be used; children should have the opportunities to conduct fieldwork, surveys and use atlases, all of which make Geography real to children.
Google Earth
It is easy to forget what an amazing tool Google Earth is. The ability to zoom from the planet-level to street-level helps children to understand the position of countries, cities and geographical features. Geographical features are triggered as the camera zooms in, allowing children to explore countries at macro and micro - street level view. Children as young as Early Years will enjoy exploring, particularly with the Google Earth iPad app.
Measurement tools
By clicking the 'ruler' at the top of the screen, children can turn on measurement tools. This lets them plot exact distances between either two points, or a series of points. Data including compass bearing, distance and elevation are then shown in the side panel.
Data layers
Google Earth offers a limited amount of data layers by pressing the 'layer' button at the top of the screen. The educational version of Google Earth offers more than the free version, but not all of the layers available.
Historical imagery (timelapse)
The historical imagery view can be turned on by the button at the top of the screen. This feature used to hosted on a website called Google Earth: Timelapse. The potential for observing changes on environments in huge. Children can use satellite photos from decades back and see how cities, glaciers, rivers, forests and other features have changed. This incredible tool might be one of the most useful available for teaching primary geography.
Key stage 1
name and locate the world's seven continents and five oceans
name, locate and identify characteristics of the four countries and capital cities of the united Kingdom and its surrounding areas
understand geographical similarities and differences through studying the human and physical geography of a small area of the United Kingdom and a small area in a contrasting non-European country
Use world maps, atlases and globes to identify the United Kingdom and its countries, as well as the countries, continents and oceans studies at this key stage
use aerial photographs and plan perspectives to recognise landmarks and basic and human physical features
use simple fieldwork and observational skills to study the geography of the school and its grounds and the key human and physical features of its surrounding environment
Key stage 2
locate the world's countries, using maps to focus on Europe (including the location of Russia) and North and South America, concentrating on their environmental regions, key physical and human characteristics, countries and major cities
Name and locate counties and cities of the United Kingdom, geographical regions and their identifying human and physical characteristics, key topographical features (including hills, mountains, coasts and rivers) and land-use patterns; and understand how some of these have changed over time
understand the position and significance of latitude, longitude, Equator, Northern Hemisphere, Southern Hemisphere, the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, Arctic and Antarctic Circle, the Prime/Greenwich Meridian and time zones (day and night)
describe and understand key aspects of:
physical geography, including climate zones, biomes and vegetation belts, rivers, mountains, volcanoes and earthquakes, the water cycle
human geography, including: types of settlement and land use, economic activity including trade links, and the distribution of natural resources including energy, food, minerals and water
use maps, atlases, globes and digital/computer mapping to locate countries and describe features studies
World Weather Map
World Weather map generates visual data and graphs about the world, in real time. It has huge application for teaching about physical geography and Maths. Children can view and track changes in rainfall, temperature, humidity and other measurements. They are usually fascinated to explore the data and find the most extreme locations!
Key stage 2
describe and understand key aspects of:
physical geography, including climate zones, biomes and vegetation belts, rivers, mountains, volcanoes and earthquakes, the water cycle
Air Quality Index
The Air Quality Index (AQI) uses a range of data inputs to give a score for overall air quality at sites around the world. Through the website linked above, children can explore the human impact on their surroundings and begin to generate questions about why air quality changes and how it can be affected. The data is so precise that children can even view measurements at data recorders in their local area.
Key stage 2
describe and understand key aspects of:
physical geography, including climate zones, biomes and vegetation belts, rivers, mountains, volcanoes and earthquakes, the water cycle
human geography, including: types of settlement and land use, economic activity including trade links, and the distribution of natural resources including energy, food, minerals and water
Costal Climate Central
Costal Climate Central lets children view maps of areas at risk from changes in ocean levels, temperature change and other factors. Children can view maps that show 'red zones' - areas at risk if these factors change. Tools like this, while useful, should be used with care with children, some of whom may experience anxiety around climate change.
Key stage 2
describe and understand key aspects of:
physical geography, including climate zones, biomes and vegetation belts, rivers, mountains, volcanoes and earthquakes, the water cycle
human geography, including: types of settlement and land use, economic activity including trade links, and the distribution of natural resources including energy, food, minerals and water
Enroads
Enroads might be one of the most powerful and useful tools for children to explore and interpret data on economic measures, climate data and other data relating to human and physical geography. The data is clearly presented and children can change the time that the data is shown from.
Key stage 2
describe and understand key aspects of:
human geography, including: types of settlement and land use, economic activity including trade links, and the distribution of natural resources including energy, food, minerals and water
Biome Viewer (iPad app)
Biome Viewer is a free app foe the iPad that can be useful for teaching children about what biomes are and how they differ from each other. The app not only shows biomes, but contains clear and detailed information about what can be found in different biomes.
Key stage 2
describe and understand key aspects of:
physical geography, including climate zones, biomes and vegetation belts, rivers, mountains, volcanoes and earthquakes, the water cycle
Flight Simulator
For schools that wish to invest in an expensive, gaming PC, Microsoft Flight Simulator lets children explore the entire world, in stunning 3D detail. Children can experience scenery and real time weather, as well as developing their piloting skills!
Key stage 2
describe and understand key aspects of:
physical geography, including climate zones, biomes and vegetation belts, rivers, mountains, volcanoes and earthquakes, the water cycle
human geography, including: types of settlement and land use, economic activity including trade links, and the distribution of natural resources including energy, food, minerals and water
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