Conclusions

While GIS, by definition, clearly involves the use of computer information technology, introduction at an early stage of the principles and techniques of geographic data handling necessitates that one use manual approaches, irrespective of the availability of appropriate hardware and software. The use of overlay techniques, as described above, can be used quite satisfactorily at a number of different age levels to develop and teach the concepts and principles of GIS both at a theoretical and practical level and quite inexpensively, allowing all pupils to have hands-on experience of the use of computer information technology. Introduction at an early stage of the principles and techniques of geographic data handling necessitates that one use manual approaches irrespective of the availability of appropriate hardware and software. The requirement for computers can, therefore, be left until later, if computer systems are available, or avoided altogether since they are not absolutely necessary.