GIS in Northern Ireland Secondary Schools: Mapping where we are now

Stephen Roulston

GIS in Northern Ireland Secondary Schools: Mapping where we are now

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

A number of studies suggest that integrating Geographical Information Systems (GIS) into Geography teaching in schools has been and is challenging and it seems that much of the early promise for the technology supporting learning in Geography has not been realised. This paper examines the progress made in Northern Ireland in implementing GIS in secondary schools. The deployment of a centrally procured entry-level GIS, in the context of a programme of centralised provision of ICT services to all schools, is examined and the results of an online survey of 85 Geography teachers provides an insight into how effective that provision has been. This combination of a regional strategy on GIS, curriculum changes and increased access to computers seems to have ensured that GIS is being used in many Geography classrooms. There is evidence that a range of GI Systems are being used in schools and in a number of different ways, but mostly for teacher rather than pupil use at present. Teachers expressed a need for coordinated training, in order to make full use of the hardware and software available.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	41-56
Journal	International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education
Volume	22
Issue number	1
Publication status	Published (in print/issue) - Feb 2013

Bibliographical note

Reference text: Aladağ, E. (2010) The effects of GIS on students' academic achievement and
motivation in seventh-grade social studies lessons in Turkey. International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 19:1, pp.11-23

Baker, T.R. (2004) Internet-Based GIS Mapping in Support of K-12 Education The Professional Geographer, 57:1, pp.44-50

Bednarz, S.W. (2004) Geographic information systems: A tool to support geography and environmental education? Geo Journal, 60:2, pp.191-199

C2k (2009) NI Maps across the curriculum, C2k publication

CCEA (2008) CCEA GCSE Specification in Geography, Available from http://www.rewardinglearning.org.uk/support/spec-changes/docs/gcse/draft/GCSE%20Revised%20Geography%20Specification.pdf, Accessed 8.3.11

CCEA (2011) New Courses, Available from http://www.rewardinglearning.org.uk/entitlement_framework/new courses.asp , Accessed 28.3.11

Crown (2009) Northern Ireland Geographic Information Strategy 2009-2019 Effectively Using Information on Location, Available from http://www.gistrategyni.gov.uk/Homepage/gi_for_ni_strategy_09-19_web.pdf, Accessed 7.3.11

DARD (undated) Strategic Flood Map of Northern Ireland Available from http://www.dardni.gov.uk/riversagency/index/stategic-flood-maps.htm, Accessed 30.3.11

Favier,T. And van der Schee,J. (2009) Learning geography by combining fieldwork with GIS International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 18.4, pp.261-274

Fegan, A., Corr, P. and Roulston, S. (2007) Geography Pathways Year 8 Hodder

Fegan, A., Corr, P. and Roulston, S. (2008) Geography Pathways Year 9 Hodder

Fegan, A., Corr, P. and Roulston, S. (2009) Geography Pathways Year 10 Hodder

Galvin, G., Anderson, J., Gardner, J., Moyle, K., McMorrough, A. and Mitchell, S. (2010) Valuing Education Technology in Schools in Ireland North and South, A report for the Standing Conference on Teacher Education, North and South (SCoTENS) October 2010

Goodchild, M.F. and Kemp, K.K. (1990) The NCGIA Core Curriculum in GIS Santa Barbara, California: National Center for Geographical Information and Analysis. Available from http://www.geog.ubc.ca/courses/klink/gis.notes/ncgia/toc.html, Accessed 27.3.11

Henderson, P., Roulston. S. and Corr, P. (2009) Geography for CCEA GCSE Second Edition Hodder
Keiper, T.A. (1999) GIS for Elementary Students: An Inquiry Into a New Approach to learning Geography Journal of Geography, 98, pp.47-59

Kerski, J.J. (2003) 'The Implementation and Effectiveness of Geographic Information Systems Technology and Methods in Secondary Education', Journal of Geography 102: 3, pp.128-137

Kidman, G. and Palmer, G. (2006): GIS: The Technology is There but the Teaching
is Yet to Catch Up. International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 15:3, pp.289-296
Lam, C-C., Lai, E. and Wong, J. (2009) Implementation of geographic information system (GIS) in secondary geography curriculum in Hong Kong: current situations and future directions International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 18.1, pp.57-74

Land and Property Services (2008) Northern Ireland Mapping Agreement, Accessible from http://www.dfpni.gov.uk/lps/nima_info_flyer_a4_web-2.pdf , Accessed 8.3.11

Lee, J. and Bednarz, R. (2009) 'Effect of GIS Learning on Spatial Thinking', Journal of
Geography in Higher Education 33: 2, pp.183-198

Liu, S. and Zhu, X. (2009) Designing a Structured and Interactive Learning Environment Based on GIS for Secondary Geography Education Journal of Geography, 107, pp.12-19

Mallon, M., Kappe, F. and Neale, B. (2003). Towards a Restructuring of the Learning Environment in Northern Ireland Schools. In A. Rossett (Ed.), Proceedings of World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education 2003 (pp.623-630). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.

Mallon,M., Kappe, F., Neale,B. and Melhuish,S. (2004) Learning Northern Ireland: A Very Large eLearning Project Proceedings of I-KNOW ’04, Graz, Austria, June 30 - July 2, 2004, Available from http://i-know.know-center.tugraz.at/previous/iknow04/papers/Learning%20Northern%20Ireland.pdf, Accessed 7.3.2011

Marshall, K. and Anderson, J. (2008) The Emperor’s new clothes? A meta-study of education technology policies in Ireland, North and South (1996-2006) Computers in Education, 50, pp.463-474

Martin, F. (2004) GIS: one small step: The OCR Pilot GCSE Available from www.geography.org.uk/download/GA_Conf07SPC3.doc

Meyer, J.W., Butterick, J., Olkin, M. and Zack, G. (1999) GIS in the K-12 Curriculum: A Cautionary Note The Professional Geographer, 51:4, pp.571-578

National Research Council (2006) Learning to think spatially National Academies Press, Washington DC

Northern Ireland Curriculum (undated) Curriculum Statutory Requirements for KS3 Geography. Available from http://www.nicurriculum.org.uk/docs/key_stage_3/areas_of_learning/ statutory_requirements/ks3_geography.pdf, Accessed 8.3.11

Papadimitriou, F. (2010a) Introduction to the complex Geospatial Web in
geographical education International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 19:1, pp.53-56

Papadimitriou, F. (2010b) A “Neogeographical Education”? The Geospatial Web, GIS and Digital Art in Adult Education International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 19:1, pp.71-74

PMB (2011) http://www.nicurriculum.org.uk/

Schubert,J.C., and Uphues,R. (2009) Learning with geoinformation in German schools: systematic integration with a GIS competency model International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 18.4, pp.275-286

Uhomoibhi, James, O. (2006) Implementing e-learning in Northern Ireland: prospects and challenges Campus-Wide Information Systems, 23.1, pp.4-14

Wheeler,P., Gordon-Brown,L., Peterson,J. And Ward,M. (2010) Geographical Information Systems in Victorian secondary schools: current constraints and opportunities International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 19.2, pp.155-170

West, B.A. (2003) Student attitudes and the impact of GIS on thinking skills and motivation Journal of Geography, 102:6, pp.267-274

Keywords

GIS
Geography
education
innovation
teaching
Geographic Information Systems

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Cite this

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title = "GIS in Northern Ireland Secondary Schools: Mapping where we are now",

abstract = "A number of studies suggest that integrating Geographical Information Systems (GIS) into Geography teaching in schools has been and is challenging and it seems that much of the early promise for the technology supporting learning in Geography has not been realised. This paper examines the progress made in Northern Ireland in implementing GIS in secondary schools. The deployment of a centrally procured entry-level GIS, in the context of a programme of centralised provision of ICT services to all schools, is examined and the results of an online survey of 85 Geography teachers provides an insight into how effective that provision has been. This combination of a regional strategy on GIS, curriculum changes and increased access to computers seems to have ensured that GIS is being used in many Geography classrooms. There is evidence that a range of GI Systems are being used in schools and in a number of different ways, but mostly for teacher rather than pupil use at present. Teachers expressed a need for coordinated training, in order to make full use of the hardware and software available.",

keywords = "GIS, Geography, education, innovation, teaching, Geographic Information Systems",

author = "Stephen Roulston",

note = "Reference text: Aladağ, E. (2010) The effects of GIS on students' academic achievement and motivation in seventh-grade social studies lessons in Turkey. International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 19:1, pp.11-23 Baker, T.R. (2004) Internet-Based GIS Mapping in Support of K-12 Education The Professional Geographer, 57:1, pp.44-50 Bednarz, S.W. (2004) Geographic information systems: A tool to support geography and environmental education? Geo Journal, 60:2, pp.191-199 C2k (2009) NI Maps across the curriculum, C2k publication CCEA (2008) CCEA GCSE Specification in Geography, Available from http://www.rewardinglearning.org.uk/support/spec-changes/docs/gcse/draft/GCSE%20Revised%20Geography%20Specification.pdf, Accessed 8.3.11 CCEA (2011) New Courses, Available from http://www.rewardinglearning.org.uk/entitlement_framework/new courses.asp , Accessed 28.3.11 Crown (2009) Northern Ireland Geographic Information Strategy 2009-2019 Effectively Using Information on Location, Available from http://www.gistrategyni.gov.uk/Homepage/gi_for_ni_strategy_09-19_web.pdf, Accessed 7.3.11 DARD (undated) Strategic Flood Map of Northern Ireland Available from http://www.dardni.gov.uk/riversagency/index/stategic-flood-maps.htm, Accessed 30.3.11 Favier,T. And van der Schee,J. (2009) Learning geography by combining fieldwork with GIS International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 18.4, pp.261-274 Fegan, A., Corr, P. and Roulston, S. (2007) Geography Pathways Year 8 Hodder Fegan, A., Corr, P. and Roulston, S. (2008) Geography Pathways Year 9 Hodder Fegan, A., Corr, P. and Roulston, S. (2009) Geography Pathways Year 10 Hodder Galvin, G., Anderson, J., Gardner, J., Moyle, K., McMorrough, A. and Mitchell, S. (2010) Valuing Education Technology in Schools in Ireland North and South, A report for the Standing Conference on Teacher Education, North and South (SCoTENS) October 2010 Goodchild, M.F. and Kemp, K.K. (1990) The NCGIA Core Curriculum in GIS Santa Barbara, California: National Center for Geographical Information and Analysis. Available from http://www.geog.ubc.ca/courses/klink/gis.notes/ncgia/toc.html, Accessed 27.3.11 Henderson, P., Roulston. S. and Corr, P. (2009) Geography for CCEA GCSE Second Edition Hodder Keiper, T.A. (1999) GIS for Elementary Students: An Inquiry Into a New Approach to learning Geography Journal of Geography, 98, pp.47-59 Kerski, J.J. (2003) 'The Implementation and Effectiveness of Geographic Information Systems Technology and Methods in Secondary Education', Journal of Geography 102: 3, pp.128-137 Kidman, G. and Palmer, G. (2006): GIS: The Technology is There but the Teaching is Yet to Catch Up. International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 15:3, pp.289-296 Lam, C-C., Lai, E. and Wong, J. (2009) Implementation of geographic information system (GIS) in secondary geography curriculum in Hong Kong: current situations and future directions International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 18.1, pp.57-74 Land and Property Services (2008) Northern Ireland Mapping Agreement, Accessible from http://www.dfpni.gov.uk/lps/nima_info_flyer_a4_web-2.pdf , Accessed 8.3.11 Lee, J. and Bednarz, R. (2009) 'Effect of GIS Learning on Spatial Thinking', Journal of Geography in Higher Education 33: 2, pp.183-198 Liu, S. and Zhu, X. (2009) Designing a Structured and Interactive Learning Environment Based on GIS for Secondary Geography Education Journal of Geography, 107, pp.12-19 Mallon, M., Kappe, F. and Neale, B. (2003). Towards a Restructuring of the Learning Environment in Northern Ireland Schools. In A. Rossett (Ed.), Proceedings of World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education 2003 (pp.623-630). Chesapeake, VA: AACE. Mallon,M., Kappe, F., Neale,B. and Melhuish,S. (2004) Learning Northern Ireland: A Very Large eLearning Project Proceedings of I-KNOW {\textquoteright}04, Graz, Austria, June 30 - July 2, 2004, Available from http://i-know.know-center.tugraz.at/previous/iknow04/papers/Learning%20Northern%20Ireland.pdf, Accessed 7.3.2011 Marshall, K. and Anderson, J. (2008) The Emperor{\textquoteright}s new clothes? A meta-study of education technology policies in Ireland, North and South (1996-2006) Computers in Education, 50, pp.463-474 Martin, F. (2004) GIS: one small step: The OCR Pilot GCSE Available from www.geography.org.uk/download/GA_Conf07SPC3.doc Meyer, J.W., Butterick, J., Olkin, M. and Zack, G. (1999) GIS in the K-12 Curriculum: A Cautionary Note The Professional Geographer, 51:4, pp.571-578 National Research Council (2006) Learning to think spatially National Academies Press, Washington DC Northern Ireland Curriculum (undated) Curriculum Statutory Requirements for KS3 Geography. Available from http://www.nicurriculum.org.uk/docs/key_stage_3/areas_of_learning/ statutory_requirements/ks3_geography.pdf, Accessed 8.3.11 Papadimitriou, F. (2010a) Introduction to the complex Geospatial Web in geographical education International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 19:1, pp.53-56 Papadimitriou, F. (2010b) A “Neogeographical Education”? The Geospatial Web, GIS and Digital Art in Adult Education International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 19:1, pp.71-74 PMB (2011) http://www.nicurriculum.org.uk/ Schubert,J.C., and Uphues,R. (2009) Learning with geoinformation in German schools: systematic integration with a GIS competency model International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 18.4, pp.275-286 Uhomoibhi, James, O. (2006) Implementing e-learning in Northern Ireland: prospects and challenges Campus-Wide Information Systems, 23.1, pp.4-14 Wheeler,P., Gordon-Brown,L., Peterson,J. And Ward,M. (2010) Geographical Information Systems in Victorian secondary schools: current constraints and opportunities International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 19.2, pp.155-170 West, B.A. (2003) Student attitudes and the impact of GIS on thinking skills and motivation Journal of Geography, 102:6, pp.267-274",

year = "2013",

month = feb,

language = "English",

volume = "22",

pages = "41--56",

journal = "International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education",

issn = "1747-7611",

publisher = "Taylor & Francis",

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}

TY - JOUR

T1 - GIS in Northern Ireland Secondary Schools: Mapping where we are now

AU - Roulston, Stephen

N1 - Reference text: Aladağ, E. (2010) The effects of GIS on students' academic achievement and motivation in seventh-grade social studies lessons in Turkey. International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 19:1, pp.11-23 Baker, T.R. (2004) Internet-Based GIS Mapping in Support of K-12 Education The Professional Geographer, 57:1, pp.44-50 Bednarz, S.W. (2004) Geographic information systems: A tool to support geography and environmental education? Geo Journal, 60:2, pp.191-199 C2k (2009) NI Maps across the curriculum, C2k publication CCEA (2008) CCEA GCSE Specification in Geography, Available from http://www.rewardinglearning.org.uk/support/spec-changes/docs/gcse/draft/GCSE%20Revised%20Geography%20Specification.pdf, Accessed 8.3.11 CCEA (2011) New Courses, Available from http://www.rewardinglearning.org.uk/entitlement_framework/new courses.asp , Accessed 28.3.11 Crown (2009) Northern Ireland Geographic Information Strategy 2009-2019 Effectively Using Information on Location, Available from http://www.gistrategyni.gov.uk/Homepage/gi_for_ni_strategy_09-19_web.pdf, Accessed 7.3.11 DARD (undated) Strategic Flood Map of Northern Ireland Available from http://www.dardni.gov.uk/riversagency/index/stategic-flood-maps.htm, Accessed 30.3.11 Favier,T. And van der Schee,J. (2009) Learning geography by combining fieldwork with GIS International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 18.4, pp.261-274 Fegan, A., Corr, P. and Roulston, S. (2007) Geography Pathways Year 8 Hodder Fegan, A., Corr, P. and Roulston, S. (2008) Geography Pathways Year 9 Hodder Fegan, A., Corr, P. and Roulston, S. (2009) Geography Pathways Year 10 Hodder Galvin, G., Anderson, J., Gardner, J., Moyle, K., McMorrough, A. and Mitchell, S. (2010) Valuing Education Technology in Schools in Ireland North and South, A report for the Standing Conference on Teacher Education, North and South (SCoTENS) October 2010 Goodchild, M.F. and Kemp, K.K. (1990) The NCGIA Core Curriculum in GIS Santa Barbara, California: National Center for Geographical Information and Analysis. Available from http://www.geog.ubc.ca/courses/klink/gis.notes/ncgia/toc.html, Accessed 27.3.11 Henderson, P., Roulston. S. and Corr, P. (2009) Geography for CCEA GCSE Second Edition Hodder Keiper, T.A. (1999) GIS for Elementary Students: An Inquiry Into a New Approach to learning Geography Journal of Geography, 98, pp.47-59 Kerski, J.J. (2003) 'The Implementation and Effectiveness of Geographic Information Systems Technology and Methods in Secondary Education', Journal of Geography 102: 3, pp.128-137 Kidman, G. and Palmer, G. (2006): GIS: The Technology is There but the Teaching is Yet to Catch Up. International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 15:3, pp.289-296 Lam, C-C., Lai, E. and Wong, J. (2009) Implementation of geographic information system (GIS) in secondary geography curriculum in Hong Kong: current situations and future directions International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 18.1, pp.57-74 Land and Property Services (2008) Northern Ireland Mapping Agreement, Accessible from http://www.dfpni.gov.uk/lps/nima_info_flyer_a4_web-2.pdf , Accessed 8.3.11 Lee, J. and Bednarz, R. (2009) 'Effect of GIS Learning on Spatial Thinking', Journal of Geography in Higher Education 33: 2, pp.183-198 Liu, S. and Zhu, X. (2009) Designing a Structured and Interactive Learning Environment Based on GIS for Secondary Geography Education Journal of Geography, 107, pp.12-19 Mallon, M., Kappe, F. and Neale, B. (2003). Towards a Restructuring of the Learning Environment in Northern Ireland Schools. In A. Rossett (Ed.), Proceedings of World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education 2003 (pp.623-630). Chesapeake, VA: AACE. Mallon,M., Kappe, F., Neale,B. and Melhuish,S. (2004) Learning Northern Ireland: A Very Large eLearning Project Proceedings of I-KNOW ’04, Graz, Austria, June 30 - July 2, 2004, Available from http://i-know.know-center.tugraz.at/previous/iknow04/papers/Learning%20Northern%20Ireland.pdf, Accessed 7.3.2011 Marshall, K. and Anderson, J. (2008) The Emperor’s new clothes? A meta-study of education technology policies in Ireland, North and South (1996-2006) Computers in Education, 50, pp.463-474 Martin, F. (2004) GIS: one small step: The OCR Pilot GCSE Available from www.geography.org.uk/download/GA_Conf07SPC3.doc Meyer, J.W., Butterick, J., Olkin, M. and Zack, G. (1999) GIS in the K-12 Curriculum: A Cautionary Note The Professional Geographer, 51:4, pp.571-578 National Research Council (2006) Learning to think spatially National Academies Press, Washington DC Northern Ireland Curriculum (undated) Curriculum Statutory Requirements for KS3 Geography. Available from http://www.nicurriculum.org.uk/docs/key_stage_3/areas_of_learning/ statutory_requirements/ks3_geography.pdf, Accessed 8.3.11 Papadimitriou, F. (2010a) Introduction to the complex Geospatial Web in geographical education International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 19:1, pp.53-56 Papadimitriou, F. (2010b) A “Neogeographical Education”? The Geospatial Web, GIS and Digital Art in Adult Education International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 19:1, pp.71-74 PMB (2011) http://www.nicurriculum.org.uk/ Schubert,J.C., and Uphues,R. (2009) Learning with geoinformation in German schools: systematic integration with a GIS competency model International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 18.4, pp.275-286 Uhomoibhi, James, O. (2006) Implementing e-learning in Northern Ireland: prospects and challenges Campus-Wide Information Systems, 23.1, pp.4-14 Wheeler,P., Gordon-Brown,L., Peterson,J. And Ward,M. (2010) Geographical Information Systems in Victorian secondary schools: current constraints and opportunities International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 19.2, pp.155-170 West, B.A. (2003) Student attitudes and the impact of GIS on thinking skills and motivation Journal of Geography, 102:6, pp.267-274

PY - 2013/2

Y1 - 2013/2

N2 - A number of studies suggest that integrating Geographical Information Systems (GIS) into Geography teaching in schools has been and is challenging and it seems that much of the early promise for the technology supporting learning in Geography has not been realised. This paper examines the progress made in Northern Ireland in implementing GIS in secondary schools. The deployment of a centrally procured entry-level GIS, in the context of a programme of centralised provision of ICT services to all schools, is examined and the results of an online survey of 85 Geography teachers provides an insight into how effective that provision has been. This combination of a regional strategy on GIS, curriculum changes and increased access to computers seems to have ensured that GIS is being used in many Geography classrooms. There is evidence that a range of GI Systems are being used in schools and in a number of different ways, but mostly for teacher rather than pupil use at present. Teachers expressed a need for coordinated training, in order to make full use of the hardware and software available.

AB - A number of studies suggest that integrating Geographical Information Systems (GIS) into Geography teaching in schools has been and is challenging and it seems that much of the early promise for the technology supporting learning in Geography has not been realised. This paper examines the progress made in Northern Ireland in implementing GIS in secondary schools. The deployment of a centrally procured entry-level GIS, in the context of a programme of centralised provision of ICT services to all schools, is examined and the results of an online survey of 85 Geography teachers provides an insight into how effective that provision has been. This combination of a regional strategy on GIS, curriculum changes and increased access to computers seems to have ensured that GIS is being used in many Geography classrooms. There is evidence that a range of GI Systems are being used in schools and in a number of different ways, but mostly for teacher rather than pupil use at present. Teachers expressed a need for coordinated training, in order to make full use of the hardware and software available.

KW - GIS

KW - Geography

KW - education

KW - innovation

KW - teaching

KW - Geographic Information Systems

M3 - Article

SN - 1747-7611

VL - 22

SP - 41

EP - 56

JO - International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education

JF - International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education

IS - 1

ER -

GIS in Northern Ireland Secondary Schools: Mapping where we are now

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

UN SDGs

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Cite this