GIS in high school integrates geography with technology: a case study

This paper describes the design, implementation, and effectiveness of a high school-level course in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The intent of the course was to instruct students in the use of GIS technology, and in doing so, teach geographic concepts and increase students' community awareness, computer capabilities, and technology competency. A survey administered both before and after the course offerings quantifies the positive influence of this GIS course on students' perceptions of geography, their GIS and computer competencies, and their relationship to their local community. The success of this course indicates that GIS can be used as a mechanism to integrate geography training with curriculum standards pertaining to technology. This case study demonstrated the value of a high school GIS elective and provides a model that high school faculty can build on to develop, promote, and integrate in a high school GIS elective.