Team+3,+ref+log+3b


 * Team 3, Reference log 3b: Geographical sources ||  ||<   ||
 * Reviewed by Diane 

(2010). Retrieved March 7, 2010, from Atlapedia: http://www.atlapedia.com/

The Atlapedia Online is a quick and easy site to access maps and gather information about places all over the world. The site is ad driven but mostly free of clutter. The user is greeted by 3 buttons choices. The first button leads to Alphabetical choices for country information. By then choosing a country, the user is presented with a quick set of information about that country including capital name, system of government, area, and population. Below the basic information is a more expanded set of information on 17 different topics such as climate, religion, economy, etc. The second button is a map button. Clicking on this button shows two maps. The left map is a link to a political map index and the right map is a link to a physical map index. The user can choose a country and then view a map that will show physical traits of the country and then interchange with a political overlay of the country. The third button will give the user the ability to download 2 choices of a flat world map. One has lines drawn on it to indicate countries. The other has a topographical view of the continents with country overlay lines.Atlapedia Online is a simple site with good and easily accessed information and can be used for quick reference and research at any grade level.

user age range – elementary – high school subject – geography rating – 8 ||  ||< //Jodye's// comment : This is an excellent source to use when studying geography. It was easy to access and navigate and I liked that you can find quick facts on several countries. I would definitely refer this source to teachers. Thanks for the information Diane!

//Katie's// comment : This geographical source gives thorough information regarding different world regions, as well as maps. It is very user-friendly, also. The map tools available on this site are impressive, too. Thanks for sharing this one, Diane! || //Citation in APA format goes here.// Covey, R. (2009). //National Geographic maps.// Retrieved March 7, 2010, from [] 912 Online
 * Reviewed by //Jodye//

//Text of review of reference source goes here.// After browsing the National Geographic Maps website I am struck by the usefulness of this site for students and teachers. By using the tools offered through this site, teachers could use Smartboards for map interaction with students as they learn about geography. National Geographic has been around since 1888 and is known for its incredible passion for the planet. The map site offers users six sections to browse and includes; “Maps Home”, “Map Machine”, “NG Maps: Print Collection”, “Atlas Puzzles”, “Atlas Explorer”, and “”Shop Maps”. Students and teachers would more than likely use the map machine, atlas puzzles, and atlas explorer. The atlas machine allows users to search for an address, country, state, or U.S. zip code. The user then has a choice of road, satellite, bird’s eye view or 3D view of the map they choose. The atlas puzzles challenge users to solve atlas map jigsaw puzzles. There is a way to set custom difficulty setting by using the options menu, but I could not access this tool. The puzzle loads after you choose the map and then you just click and drag. It is a little difficult to see the actual map on a laptop, but to use this with a Smartboard would be fun and engaging. The atlas Explorer section allows the user to select a map from the seven continents and the world’s oceans. You also have the choice of a geophysical or a geopolitical map. You may click on the map to zoom in and in the upper right hand corner you’ll see a small map with a line box around the section you’ve targeted. Of course there are advertisements and access to shopping for National Geographic products including maps. There are a plethora of maps available for purchase, which are both historical and contemporary. I really am curious as to whether teachers and students would value this reference tool as they study geography. Grade Level: 4th-12th Subject: Social Studies, Geography Overall Rating: 10

Grades: enter //your best judgment of age/grade appropriateness of the resource// Subject(s): enter //your best judgment of subject area(s) where resource would be most valuable// Rating: // provide your rating, using scale of 1-10 // ||  ||<  //Diane's// comment : Who doesn’t love National Geographic material? The review provides some great information and great ideas regarding using the Smartboard with functions of the website. There are very good point of interest statements directing the reader to different areas of the site. I would agree that there are certainly in classroom uses for this site.

//Katie's// comment : I have always loved National Geographic! They do, indeed, embody great passion for the planet. The maps included at this site are well-illustrated and easy to manipulate. The variety of maps included and the puzzles add versatility to this source. This is a great resource, Jodye! || United States Department of the Interior. (2009). National Atlas of the United States. Retrieved March 8, 2010, from []
 * Reviewed by //Katie// ||

The National Atlas of the United States website is a useful source containing a variety of geographical features and tools. This site is published and maintained by the U.S. Department of the Interior. This site contains links to information about agriculture, biology, boundaries, climate, environment, geology, government, history, mapping, people, transportation, and water. Information within these categories is presented via text, statistical data, and maps. Some tools featured at this site are the map maker, map layers, wall maps, and dynamic maps. These tools allow you to create your own maps and print them out. The map layer tool includes layer categories relating to all of the information categories listed above. This allows you to create a map that includes any combination of these categories. The interactive map maker allows you to create and customize your own map. This website is user-friendly and the information well-organized. This site would be most appropriate for upper elementary grades, middle grades, and high school. Subject areas in which this resource would be most useful are geography, biology, social studies, history, political science/government, and general science and social studies. I rate this source as a 10.

Grades: Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School. Subject(s): Geography, Biology, Social Studies, History, Political Science/Government; General Science & Social Studies Rating: 10 The review very succinctly describes a site that has multiple options for the user. The reader would be able to see all of the choices that are available, and there are a lot! Providing the information regarding the interactive map maker would make a tempting draw for a teacher to encourage their students to use the site as part of a classroom experience. Pointing out that the site would be useful for different classes is very good. //Jodye's// comment : I think this is a great detailed and informative source. When using the site, I found it interesting that you can select different layers of a map, whether it be with climate or history with a range of topics covered. It is organized and laid out well so it is easy to use and understand. I would recommend this source to students and teachers. This source will aid students in a variety of ways as they learn about geography and many other subjects. ||
 * ||< //Diane's// comment :