OpenStreetMap
WHY?
Teach mapping and cartography
Great Geography club activity
Use some of the techniques and the free software to get
students making maps, or even better contributing to the OSM
project.
Get students to consider the rationale behind the project

Firstly, create an account
Click here to go to the OpenStreetMap website
Start by creating an account Don’t use a valuable
password as it is not a secure server.

Collect GPS data
The next stage is to collect some GPS data. I use a Garmin handheld.
If you have a Symbian phone you can install GPS tracking software such as
GE Track or GPS track in conjunction with a separate bluetooth GPS
The OSM site contains
lots of useful tips for collecting
data with your GPS

Convert GPS track to GPX
Converting your GPS track to GPSX format is relatively simple. If you have a
handheld device such as a Garmin Etrex or Gecko, connect it to your PC
and use software such as Easy GPS to download and convert the track.
If you are using the phone option, the software will probably let you export
your track in GPX format.

Upload to OSM

Create map from GPS track
The track can be edited
directly in the Potlatch
window.
Alternatively download
and use the JSOM
application to create OSM
data.
It’s probably best to experiment
in the Play mode first since all
edits will be saved directly into
the OSM database.

Add tags and labels
Here I’m tagging a section of In this screen I’ve created a point
unclassified road and tagged it with the name of the
hamlet.

Render map
This is the final stage in map creation. You have to be a little patient before
you see your contribution appearing on the main map (termed the “Slippy
Map” in OSM jargon. There are simple instructions on how to render your
work on the website.
My first OSM
contribution
Noel Jenkins www.juicygeography.co.uk