Geospatial Revolution

This video segment from Geospatial Revolution, produced by Penn State Public Broadcasting, demonstrates how different digital technologies can be used together to create a powerful mapping tool that can help in a crisis situation. In the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, a technology platform called Ushahidi was used to help rescue teams and aid workers perform their services and communicate with one another. Using a combination of satellite images of Haiti, information collected on the ground via text messages and social media Web sites, and volunteer translators outside of Haiti, Ushahidi produced interactive online maps that reflected the real-time situation, indicating where help was needed and the location of collapsed buildings and makeshift hospitals. The video runs 4:11 and is accompanied by a background essay, standards alignment, and discussion questions. Users who sign up for a free account can save the resource and download the video as well.