Abstract

Geography With a 'Different View' Through GIS
Track: Educational Research and Teacher Education
Authors: Mary Fargher

This paper examines the opportunities for developing relational understanding of geography's 'big ideas' through the potential of GIS. With reference to both literature in the field and a recently completed school based research project, it discusses the use of ArcGIS and earth viewers to frame a range of geographical learning including site analyses, mapping land uses, exploring earthquake patterns and enquiries on hazard impacts. Via a close examination of the simple and more complex geographical concepts that GIS can support, the research findings conclude that more hybrid approaches to using GIS in the classroom - where educators use a multiple of sources to support teaching and learning can bring the strengths of the analytical power of GIS and richer relational thinking in geography together more effectively. The paper concludes with recommendations for developing young people's geographical perspectives skillfully, thoughtfully and critically with 'a different view' through GIS.