GGH2603/101/3/2021

Tutorial Letter 101/3/2021

The interpretation of maps, aerial

photographs and satellite images

GGH2603

Semesters 1 and 2

Department of Geography

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please register on myUnisa, activate your myLife e-mail account and
make sure that you have regular access to the myUnisa module
website, MODULE CODE-2021-S1/S2, as well as your group website.
 CONTENTS

Page

1 INTRODUCTION 3
1.1 Getting started 3
2 OVERVIEW OF[insert module code] 3
2.1 Purpose 3
2.2 Outcomes 3
3 LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS 3
3.1 Lecturer(s) 3
3.2 Department 3
3.3 University 4
4 RESOURCES 4
4.1 Joining myUnisa 4
4.2 Prescribed book(s) 4
4.3 Recommended book(s) 4
4.4 Electronic reserves (e-reserves) 4
4.5 Library services and resources 4
5 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES 5
6 HOW TO STUDY ONLINE 5
6.1 What does it mean to study fully online? 5
6.2 myUnisa tools 6
7 ASSESSMENT 6
7.1 Assessment plan 6
7.2 Year mark and final examination/other options 6
8 CONCLUSION 6
APPENDIX: GLOSSARY OF TERMS 7

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1 INTRODUCTION
Dear Student,
Welcome to GGH2603 “The interpretation of maps, aerial photographs and satellite images”.
This module introduces you to maps, aerial photographs and satellite images as sources of
spatial data and information. The module focuses on the communication of spatial data and
spatial information in order to assist with spatial problem-solving. The module also introduces
you to a variety of techniques and tools that can be used to transform spatial data into spatial
information to assist in decision-making. You will be introduced to GIS in this module. Please
follow the activities involving GIS. This is important since these activities are designed in such a
way to emphasise the important aspects of the learning unit contents.
This module is offered fully online and you will be required to take part in online activities,
complete practical activities by using GIS, and submit written assignments and portfolios via
myUnisa. The learning material and activities for this module have been designed to be
interactive, and we hope that you will embrace the interactive nature of the content. Regular
participation and interaction on myUnisa during the course of this module will help you to learn
from everyone (including your lecturer).
Do not hesitate to contact your lecturer (on myUnisa, by e-mail or by telephone) if you are
experiencing problems with the content of this tutorial letter or any aspect of the module. We
sincerely hope that you find this module, as well as your online learning experience, interesting
and rewarding and that you will complete the module successfully.
Visit the website for GGH2603 on myUnisa frequently. The website for your module is
GGH2603-21-S1/S2.
There are e-tutors for this module, who will be available on myUnisa to discuss some of the
difficult concepts in the module and answer any content-related questions. Each of the e-tutors
has their own group site (for example, GGH2603-21-S1-1E or GGH2603-21-S2-2E), and you
will be divided into groups of between 200 and 300 students per site. Please make sure that you
visit the group/e-tutor sites weekly.
Because this is a fully online module, you will need to use myUnisa to study and complete the
learning activities for this module. Visit the website for [module code] on myUnisa frequently.
1.1 Getting started
Owing to the nature of this module, you can read about the module and find your study material
online. Go to the website at https://my.unisa.ac.za and log in using your student number and
password. Click on "myModules" at the top of the web page and then on "Sites" in the top right
corner. In the new window, click on the grey Star icon next to the modules you want displayed
on your navigation bar. Close the window in the top right corner. Then select the option "Reload
to see your updated favourite sites". Now go to your navigation bar and click on the module you
want to open.
Once you have accessed the module, look for the Learning Units option on the right-hand side
of the screen. The learning units will guide you through the theory and practical components of
the module. It is best to study online, since the learning units contain links to videos and website
sources to assist you during your studies. However, if you wish to study offline you will find the
Module Outcome and Study Guide document under Additional Resources. Furthermore, it
was discovered that students have easier access to Google Drive to access all the learning

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materials, data and software. The link to drive will be communicated under “Additional
Resources”.

We wish you every success with your studies!

2 OVERVIEW OF GGH2603
2.1 Purpose
Students who have completed this module successfully, will have obtained the knowledge and
skills needed to derive spatial data from maps, aerial photographs and satellite images. In this
module you are introduced to a variety of skills and tools including GIS that can be used to
transform spatial data into spatial information, which can be used to make decisions and assist
in solving spatial problems.
This module aims to provide you with an understanding of each of these data sources and how
the unique characteristics of these data sources affect their applicability to a variety of
applications.
This module is delivered using myUnisa and the internet as well as peer group interaction.
2.2 Outcomes
For this module, you will have to master several outcomes:

• Specific outcome 1: Differentiate between the data sources needed to

communicate spatial data and information and identify the appropriate data sources
that can be used to solve spatial problems within a given scenario using a GIS.
• Specific outcome 2: Discuss the problems associated with the representation of
reality and explain the importance of considering the nature of geographical data
when representing reality.
• Specific outcome 3: Derive spatial data about human and natural phenomena from
spatial data sources and transform this data into information to assist in decision-
making related to spatial problems using GIS.
• Specific outcome 4: Communicate spatial information visually through the use of
maps. GIS is used to develop these maps.

3 LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS

3.1 Lecturer(s)
The primary lecturer for this module is: Prof Peter Schmitz
Department: Department of Geography
Telephone: 011 471 2262
E-mail: schimpmu@unisa.ac.za
3.2 Department
You can contact the Department of Geography as follows:
Name: Ms C Khulase
Telephone number: 011 471 3549
E-mail: khulasvh1@unisa.ac.za
The departmental office hours are between 08:00 to 14:00

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3.3 University
To contact the University, follow the instructions on the Contact us page on the Unisa website.
Remember to have your student number available whenever you contact the University.
Whenever you contact a lecturer via e-mail, please include your student number in the subject
line to enable the lecturer to help you more effectively.

4 RESOURCES
4.1 Joining myUnisa
The myUnisa learning management system is the University's online campus which will help
you communicate with your lecturers, other students and the administrative departments within
Unisa. To claim your myUnisa account, please follow the steps below:
1. Visit the myUnisa website at https://my.unisa.ac.za/portal
2. Click on the "Claim Unisa login" link on the top of the screen under the orange user ID box.
3. A new screen will load, prompting you to enter your student number. Please enter your
student number and click "continue".
4. Enter your surname, your full name, your date of birth and, finally, your South African ID
number (for South African citizens) OR your passport number (for foreign students). Then
click "continue". Remember to enter either an ID number or a passport number, NOT
both.
5. Please read through the guidelines and click all the check boxes to acknowledge that you
have read all the information provided. Once you are done, click the "Acknowledge" button
to redirect you to the final page in the process.
6. The final page will display your myLife e-mail address, and your myLife AND myUnisa
password. This password will also be sent to the cellphone number displayed on the page
for safekeeping.
7. Please note that it can take up to 24 hours for your myLife e-mail account to be created.

Remember, the password provided is your myUnisa AND myLife password.

4.2 Prescribed book(s)

There are no prescribed books for this module.
4.3 Recommended book(s)
Recommended books can be requested online, via the Library catalogue. These will be
announced on myUNISA GGH2603 module site.
4.4 Electronic reserves (e-reserves)
There are currently no e-reserves available. These will be communicated to the students via
myUNISA as they are becoming available during the academic year.
E-reserves can be downloaded from the Library catalogue. More information is available at:
https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/request/request
4.5 Library services and resources
The Unisa Library offers a range of information services and resources:

• For detailed Library information, go to https://unisa.ac.za/library

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 • For research support and services (eg personal librarians and literature search services),
go to https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Library-services/Research-
support
• The Library has created numerous Library guides: https://libguides.unisa.ac.za

Recommended guides:

• Request and download recommended material:

https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/request
• Postgraduate information services:
https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/request/postgrad
• Finding and using Library resources and tools:
https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/research-support
• Frequently asked questions about the Library:
https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/ask
• Services to students living with disabilities:
https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/disability
• Assistance with technical problems accessing the Unisa Library or resources:
https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/techsupport

You may also send an e-mail to Lib-help@unisa.ac.za (please add your student number in the
subject line).

5 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

The Study @ Unisa website is available on myUnisa: www.unisa.ac.za/brochures/studies
This website has all the tips and information you need to succeed at Unisa.

6 HOW TO STUDY ONLINE

6.1 What does it mean to study fully online?
Studying fully online modules differs completely from studying some of your other modules at
Unisa.

• All your study material and learning activities for online modules are designed to be
delivered online on myUnisa.
• All your assignments must be submitted online. This means that you do all your
activities and submit all your assignments on myUnisa. In other words, you may NOT post
your assignments to Unisa using the South African Post Office.
• All communication between you and the University happens online. Lecturers will
communicate with you via e-mail and SMS, and use the Announcements, the Discussion
Forums and the Questions and Answers tools. You can also use all of these platforms to
ask questions and contact your lecturers.
6.2 myUnisa tools
The main tool that we will use is the Lessons tool. This tool will provide the content of and the
assessments for your module. At times you will be directed to join discussions with fellow
students and complete activities and assessments before you can continue with the module.

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It is very important that you log in to myUnisa regularly. We recommend that you log in at least
once a week to do the following:

• Check for new announcements. You can also set your myLife e-mail account so that you
receive the announcement e-mails on your cellphone.
• Do the Discussion Forum activities. When you do the activities for each learning unit, we
want you to share your answers with the other students in your group. You can read the
instructions and even prepare your answers offline, but you will need to go online to post
your messages.
• Do other online activities. For some of the learning unit activities you might need to post
something on the Blog tool, take a quiz or complete a survey under the Self-Assessment
tool. Do not skip these activities because they will help you complete the assignments and
the activities for the module.
We hope that by giving you extra ways to study the material and practise all of the activities, you
will succeed in the online module. To get the most out of the online module you MUST go online
regularly to complete the activities and assignments on time.

7. ASSESSMENT
7.1 Assessment plan
The following is a breakdown of the formal assessment activities as they become due during the
semester:

Semester 1 Semester 2
Contribution
Type of
Task to semester
assignment Unique Unique
(year) mark Due date Due date
number number

Formative assessment

Online
Assignment 23 August
15% Assessment 12 March 2021 650121 868281
01 2021
(SAMIGO)

Online 13
Assignment
20% Assessment 29 March 2021 537119 September 870054
02
(SAMIGO) 2021

Online
Assignment 4 October
65% Assessment 16 April 2021 887557 846579
03 2021
(SAMIGO)

Contribution to final mark 45%

Summative assessment

Timed online Contribution

MCQ Online To be
MCQ to final mark 26 May 2021 677319 863388
Examination confirmed
examination 55%

Because this is an online module, the assignments are not provided in this tutorial letter.
Instead, the assignments are provided online as they become due. You will see them when you
go online.

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Please note: For the Online Timed Examination-based MCQ examinations you will require the
following:

• It is an open book examination.

• A pocket calculator or the calculator on your cell phone.

7.2 Year mark and final examination/other options
Please note:
If your Online Timed Examination MCQ mark is below the subminimum of 40% you will forfeit
your year mark and only your MCQ examination mark below 40% will be shown in your results.
Examination admission will be communicated by UNISA. Please monitor these
communications.
As you can see from the table in Section 7.1, you will have to submit three assignments online
during the semester for the assessment of this module. The marks that you achieve will make
up your semester mark (the university also refers to this as your year mark). However, due to
the incremental nature of this field, we recommend that you complete all the assignments. Each
assignment builds on the knowledge you gain during your studies and the previous assignment.
If you do not study all the work or complete a particular assignment, you will lack some of the
fundamental knowledge you will need to complete the next assignment. The semester mark for
this module will contribute 45% towards your final mark. From 2021 you will write a Online
Timed Examination MCQ examination and will contribute 55% towards your final mark.
Because this is an online module, we have not included the assignments (and the instructions
for completing them) in this tutorial letter. Once the assignments are ready (normally when
registration opens), we will advise you by means of an announcement, and each assignment
will be loaded in the Online Assignments. Your results will be available under the Grade Book.
7.3 Further notes on Online Timed Examination-based examinations
Examination admission
To gain admission to the examination for this module, you must submit ALL the online
assignments before or on the due date during the course of the semester. If you fail to submit
an assignment, you will not be admitted to the examination.
How does this work in practice?
Students who qualify for a supplementary, aegrotat or special examination should note that the
structure of the examination paper and the scope (guidance) of the examination will vary from
semester to semester. Students who have the opportunity to write a supplementary, aegrotat or
special examination, are not registered for the semester in which they write the supplementary
examination; they are still registered for the semester in which they wrote the examination for
the first time. If you are writing a supplementary, aegrotat or special examination, you must
contact your lecturer to arrange that you receive the examination guidelines to help you prepare
for the examination.
If illness prevents you from writing an examination, you may apply to the Examination Section
for an aegrotat or special examination at the end of the next semester. Full particulars on, and
the requirements for, aegrotat and special examinations are provided in the Study @ Unisa
brochure. Please do not apply for an aegrotat and special examination from the Department of
Geography and do not send your medical certificate to the lecturer responsible for this module.

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Examination period
This module is currently offered in a semester period of 15 weeks. This means that if you are
registered for the first semester, you will write the examination in May/June 2021, and the
supplementary examination will be written in October/November 2021. If you are registered for
the second semester, you will write the examination in October/November 2021, and the
supplementary examination will be written in May/June 2022.
Examination paper
As indicated before the examination will be an Online Timed Examination MCQ type of
examination. You should work through the study material and the activities on the myUnisa
module site contained under the learning units at a regular pace, to prepare yourself properly for
the examination. Please keep in mind that the semester is very short. Do not wait until a few
days before the examination because you think that you will be able to master all the material
by "cramming". This method of study will not work for this module.
You will write a four-hour online timed examination for this module. The online timed
examination will count 55% towards your final mark. The other 45% of your final mark is a
semester mark that will be calculated from the marks you obtain for Assignments 01, 02 and 03.
Previous examination papers
No previous examination papers are available.
Detailed examination guidance
To help you with your preparation for the examination, an examination guidance document will
be provided and uploaded on the myUnisa module site. This document is crucial, as it explains
the format of the examination paper and sets out clearly what material you must study for the
examination. Make sure that you access this document as soon as it has been posted.

8. CONCLUSION
Do not hesitate to contact us by e-mail if you are experiencing problems with the content of this
tutorial letter or with any academic aspect of the module.
We wish you a fascinating and satisfying journey through the learning material, and trust that
you will complete the module successfully.
Enjoy the journey!
Prof Peter Schmitz – lecturer for GGH2603
DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY

APPENDIX: GLOSSARY OF TERMS

A glossary of terminology typically used in Geography is available on myUnisa under
Additional Resources.