What are some of the applications and domains of GIS in education and learning?

1 GIS in the curriculum

GIS can be used to support learning outcomes across different subjects and levels of education, from elementary to higher education. GIS can help students develop spatial thinking skills, such as understanding patterns, relationships, and processes in space, and apply them to real-world problems and scenarios. GIS can also foster interdisciplinary learning, as students can use spatial data and analysis to explore topics such as history, geography, social studies, math, science, and art. For example, students can use GIS to map historical events, compare demographic trends, calculate distances and areas, investigate environmental issues, or create artistic expressions.

2 Benefits of using GIS in education

GIS in education can bring numerous advantages for both students and teachers, such as enhancing student engagement and motivation, promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills, developing digital literacy and citizenship skills, and preparing students for future careers and opportunities. GIS can make learning more enjoyable, interactive, and applicable, as students can use maps, multimedia, and web-based tools to explore their own interests. It can also challenge students to ask questions, collect data, interpret results, and communicate findings. Furthermore, GIS can help students learn how to use technology ethically and responsibly as well as how to access, evaluate, and share information in the digital age. Additionally, GIS can introduce students to various fields that use spatial data and analysis such as engineering or health. Ultimately, it can help them develop skills like collaboration, creativity, and innovation that are essential in the 21st century.

3 Challenges of using GIS in education

Using GIS in education can be beneficial, but there are also challenges and barriers that need to be addressed. These include lack of access and resources, such as hardware, software, data, and internet access. GIS can also consume a lot of time and bandwidth, making it difficult to use in some settings. Additionally, GIS can be complex and technical, so teachers and students may need professional development and ongoing support to learn how to use it. Furthermore, GIS may not align with existing curriculum standards or be recognized by the educational system. Finally, teachers may struggle with assessing student learning and performance using GIS.

4 Examples of GIS projects in education

GIS projects can be utilized in education to meet various subject, grade, and learning goals. For example, students can use GIS to map the global and local impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, explore causes and consequences of climate change, create story maps to showcase their personal or community stories, and participate in citizen science projects. Additionally, GIS can be used to analyze data on topics such as greenhouse gas emissions, temperature changes, sea level rise, and natural disasters. Through GIS projects, students can gain a deeper understanding of their environment and develop skills in data collection and analysis.

5 Resources for GIS in education

Educators and learners who want to use GIS in education have numerous resources at their disposal. For instance, Esri is a leading provider of GIS software and services, offering a range of resources for education, such as ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS StoryMaps, ArcGIS Learn, and Esri Academy. K-12 schools and educators can access Esri's software and data for free, and students and teachers can apply for scholarships and grants. Additionally, GeoInquiries are short activities using web-based GIS maps to teach various subjects such as Earth science, history, math, and literature. GIS Lounge is another resource worth exploring; it provides information and resources on GIS topics such as data, software, tutorials, careers, and news. It also has a section dedicated to GIS in education with articles, guides, and examples of projects and applications.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?