Digital Earth in Enhanced Teaching Methods of Geography

Abstract

The scope of Geography expanded with changing trends in the world. 21st century is fast growing with modern trends in computer technology information systems and virtual world to obtain data about the physical and cultural worlds, and to use these data to do research or to solve practical problems as such. The use of traditional cartographic techniques in teaching terminology of Geography has turned with innovative teaching methods with computer aided Geo-informatic technologies. The current digital and analog electronic devices facilitate the inventory or resources and the rapid execution of arithmetic or logical operations. These information systems are undergoing much improvement and are able to create, manipulate, store and use spatial data much faster rate as compared to conventional methods. The science of Geo-informatics is a cluster of information sciences like Geographic Information System (GIS), Remote Sensing (RS), Global Positioning System (GPS) and Photogrammetry. The GIS has roots in the analysis of information on maps, and overcomes many of the limitations of manual analysis. As a visual tool, maps are most effective in communicating spatial data. The vast majority of modern cartography is done with the help of computers, especially using GIS. With an advent of Remote sensing technology, satellite data is being increasingly used for mapping, monitoring and assessment of various spatial studies particularly in Geographic literature. The teaching of Geography starts with the latitude and longitudes. The real-time information regarding lat-long and the elevation of the points established with the satellite-based radio-navigations system namely, Global Positioning System (GPS). The terrain models like DEM, DTM and DSM created with Photogrammetry and GIS, with advanced 3D models of spatial features of geographic literature are the real-time innovative teaching methods in Geography.