Service Learning/Active Participation Citizenship

Helping others using Geography in the classroom

How do I incorporate OSM into my classroom?

Just like all other teachers I have so many concepts, topics, and skills to cover over the year.  When first introduced to OSM I was not sure how I would incorporate it into my classroom.  When I realized the information students would be providing to the OSM community would be directly benefiting people around the world I realized I had to integrate it to show students how they can directly help others using their geographical skills right from their own computer.   I set a goal and decided to map one project in each of my Advance Placement Human Geography classes.  Students were assigned to set up an account for homework one night, and to complete the ten minute tutorial.  The next day I introduced the project they would be mapping and the students mapped buildings.  The day after the mapping students were asked to write a one page double spaced reflection on the project and mapping the area.  Students really enjoyed the process and felt like they were really contributing to a problem they had learned about in class.  So the next school year I decided to do more OSM and incorporate projects that directly related to topics students were covering in class.  This past year I had two AP Human Geography classes and one Current Events class map projects during the year.  

Student Highlights about TeenMaptivists:

• "[...] we are contributing to accessible online mapping that can illustrate this community and their connections to food and resources. This will help both the residents in finding close food, as well as people in power who now have a clear view of which areas have issues with hunger [...]"

• "This would help Fresno residents and government officials gather information regarding food insecurity and identify areas that may need extra support."

• "(We) help encourage mapping areas that are affected by food security to and raise awareness about other regions."

• "Food security is extremely important since there are so many that go to sleep without food--they are unable to take care of themselves and have to suffer in silence. However, by providing them with these maps, it allows them to take care of themselves with not just food, but shelters and areas that supply basic necessities."

• "Defining residential buildings (gives) data on how many people are in a specific area, which can help determine what areas need food pantries or soup kitchens[...]"

• "People have more of an idea of where healthy and nutritional foods are needed."

• "Mapping can be helpful for those in the areas in need and it makes me feel good to know that I am helping others."

• "I have mapped areas in Fresno California lacking infrastructure which affect food security in this region."

• "I am making sure that the underrepresented area of Fresno California is accurately mapped, so that the individuals living in that area have increased safety and knowledge of their surroundings."

• "I am ensuring that it is known where people are, where buildings are, so that these underrepresented groups can be known and can be helped in terms of dissolving hunger in the area."

• "OSM has allowed me to serve the under-served areas of our huge community. Through Open Street Mapping we are allowed to all become a community, no matter the distance, we come together to serve the struggling smaller communities around us."

AP Human Geography OSM Projects:  AP with WE Service Project

For the past two years my APHG students have completed an AP with WE Service Project.   Over the course of the year students focus on water and how having clean water can impact health and food security on a global and local scale.  Students read a book, interview guest speakers who have worked on water projects locally as well as internationally, watched documentaries, read numerous articles, create their own documentary, and host a walk to raise awareness about the importance of clean water.  In addition, students worked on two OSM projects that were related to water issues.  For both of the projects, global projects were chosen.   The following project was selected:  https://tasks.teachosm.org/project/388

Extension Lesson for APHG using Teaching with the News from The Choices Program from Brown University

In the Population Unit students learn about migration patterns, push and pull factors, and what defines a refugee.  The Choices Program has a great lesson in The Teaching In the News to help students learn about refugees.  As many students learned about refugees many wanted to be able to help the refugees, so students found a project (#3939 - Bangladesh Population Movement - Kutupalong camp and surrounding settlements | https://tasks.hotosm.org/project/3939?task=222)

The mapping project was an extension activity which many students appreciated because they were able to help refugees fleeing to safety.  

Learn More about The Choices Program and how OSM can be used as an extension activity:   http://www.choices.edu/2018/02/25/connecting-students-humanitarian-crises-around-world/

Extension Activities using the Choices Program in Current Events Class

Current Events class is a semester course and each year students dive into different units from The Choices Program.  This past year students studied Nigeria, and as students learned more about the country students wanted to help people in areas of Nigeria.  Students searched the tasking manager for projects and as a class voted to map one of the projects.  

Presentations