This book is an initiative presented by the Commission on Geographical Education of the International Geographical Union. It focuses particularly on what has been learned from geospatial projects and research from the past decades of implementing geospatial technologies (GST) in formal and informal education. The objective of this publication is to inform an international audience of teachers, professionals, scholars, and policymakers about the state of the art and prospects of geospatial practices (GPs) as organized activities that use GST and lessons learned in relation to geographical education. GST make up an advanced body of knowledge developed by practitioners of geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing (RS), global positioning systems, (GPS), and digital cartography (DC). GST have long been applied in many different sectors; however, their first use in higher education began in the early 1980s and then diffused to secondary schools during the 1990s. Starting with GIS and RS, it evolved into a much broader context, as GST expanded to include GPS and DC with new communication technologies and Internet applications. GST have been used around the world as a combination of tools and special techniques to make research, teaching, and learning more effective.

Clarifies theoretical and practical aspects of GST in education

Geospatial technology in geography education.- Digital geography education in the 21st century: needs and opportunities.- Spatial thinking in education: concepts, development and trends.- Education for spatial citizenship.- Integrating GIS and other geospatial technologies in middle schools.- Geospatial education in high schools: curriculums, methodologies, and practices.- Applied geospatial technology in higher education.- Practice of geospatial technologies in informal education.- Web-based GIS in education.- Teaching GIS and other geospatial technologies to in-service teachers.- Professional development focusing on IBL using GIS.- The effectiveness of geospatial practice in education.- An assessment of the use of GIS in teaching.- An assessment of geospatial thinking in high schools.- Opportunities and challenges in using geospatial technologies for education.- Digital world: strategies for geospatial technology in 21st century education.- An agenda of geospatial technology in geography education for the future.