ERIC Number: EJ861960
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009-Feb
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1038-2046
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Implementation of Geographic Information System (GIS) in Secondary Geography Curriculum in Hong Kong: Current Situations and Future Directions
Lam, Chi-Chung; Lai, Edith; Wong, Janice
International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, v18 n1 p57-74 Feb 2009
Using geographic information system (GIS) in teaching and learning geography is an important direction in the secondary geography curriculum in Hong Kong. In the present study, interviews were conducted individually with 28 geography teachers from different secondary schools in Hong Kong, with a view to finding their views on the inclusion of GIS in the secondary geography curriculum and the current state of GIS implementation in their schools. The study reveals that the level of use of GIS in geography teaching in Hong Kong was low, despite the fact that teachers generally found GIS to be an important geographical skill. In addition, teachers' understanding of how GIS could be used in teaching to enhance student learning in geography was limited. There is evidence that basic conditions, in terms of hardware and software, for using GIS in geography teaching were present in schools, and that teacher commitment was a critical factor determining whether or not GIS would be used. Teacher commitment was found related to teachers' sense of preparedness to implement GIS, the perceived practicality of its use in teaching and whether GIS use was mandated in the curriculum. (Contains 2 tables, 1 figure, and 3 notes.)
Descriptors: Geography Instruction, Foreign Countries, Geographic Information Systems, Secondary School Curriculum, Curriculum Implementation, Interviews, Use Studies, Educational Practices, Educational Assessment, Educational Indicators, Teacher Attitudes, Computer System Design
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Adult Education; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Hong Kong
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A