Development of a Multimedia Learning Package for Map Projections

An understanding of the problems of map projections, apart from the superficial, can only be gained by studying the mathematical nature of projections. An appreciation of the properties of map projections, and how their properties change, is an important component of the study program of tertiary students in surveying and mapping. The theory behind these properties is based on mathematical principles employed to derive equations linking latitude and longitude to Cartesian co-ordinates of map projections. This paper describes the development of Understanding Map Projections', a computer based simulation teaching package for students of mapping. Understanding Map Projections approaches the teaching of the concepts of map projections using visual methods to depict properties usually specified using mathematical formulae. It also explains how evaluations to test the effectiveness of computer-supported educational packages for the geospatial science will be undertaken.