Title: Geographical information systems, a smart technology to optimise social studies undergraduate education: an appraisal

Authors: Onamrewho Favour Atubi

Addresses: Department of Social Science Education, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract: Using theoretical and empirical review, the researcher appraised the importance of using Geographic Information Systems resources as a smart technology for optimising the teaching of Social Studies trainee teachers at the higher level of education. Therefore, the need to bring in innovation and teach the course differently in higher institutions necessitated this paper. Geographical Information Systems, a novel and multi-disciplinary technology that compute and display geographical information in a visual form, seem poised to achieve this objective. This smart technology can be harnessed in bringing new dimension to how undergraduates in teacher education learn and perceive Social Studies. Therefore, this article is an attempt to highlight the positive effect Geographical Information Systems can have on Social Studies teacher training programme. Furthermore, the appraisal of related and empirical literature showed that the benefits of Geographic Information Systems to Social Studies are numerous. These include enriching Social Studies course content; applying technology to understanding social issues; using data of large magnitude; giving a holistic picture of social issues faced globally; promoting activity-based learning; enhancing visual and critical learning; building a strong foundation for spatial knowledge and ultimately leading to better pedagogical skills among Social Studies undergraduates.

Keywords: geographic information systems; smart technology; higher institutions; social studies; undergraduates; optimise and appraisal.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSMARTTL.2024.144486

International Journal of Smart Technology and Learning, 2024 Vol.4 No.2, pp.138 - 150

Received: 24 Apr 2023
Accepted: 24 Jun 2023
Published online: 17 Feb 2025 *

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