World history maps, a GIS-based teaching tool

Includes bibliographical references (p. 32).In view of contributing to the advancements in the field of e-teaching using modern mapping techniques, the Interactive Map Teaching Tool (IMTT) has been created for the History Department at San Diego State University (SDSU) by Ravali Yadavalli. IMTT would aid in teaching student geographic locations that are part of History 101/100/411 course curriculum of the SDSU History Department. GIS technology has been used in creation of geographic location types such as selected cities, oceans and seas, straits and passes, rivers, and mountain ranges. Each of the geographic location types was established as a layer on a world map. Based on the requirement, the layer created was a point layer or polygon layer or a line layer. Generally, the selection of the layer type is dependent on the shape and total area of the location type to be mapped. A user interface created using JAVA and MOJO software packages has been included in this tool for effective learning of users. Some of the user interface features provided in this tool includes zoom-in, zoom-out, legend editing, location identifier, print command, and a tool menu