INTEGRATING DIGITAL MAPPING TECHNOLOGIES INTO GEOGRAPHICAL SKILLS EDUCATION: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW, INDICATIVE META-ANALYTIC SYNTHESIS, AND INTEGRATIVE THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

Sony Nugratama Hijrawadi, Epon Ningrum, Nandi Nandi, Lili Somantri, Muhammad Ikhsan

Abstract

Digital mapping technologies—geographic information systems (GIS), web-GIS, virtual globes, remote sensing, story maps, and emerging augmented-reality and GeoAI tools—are increasingly promoted as vehicles for developing geographical skills. However, the evidence remains dispersed across geography education, the geosciences, and educational technology; previous reviews have focused almost exclusively on GIS, and no synthesis has both mapped this landscape and quantified the learning effect. This study aims to (i) characterise the research landscape of the field, (ii) estimate the indicative learning effect of mapping-technology instruction on spatial and geographical-skill outcomes, and (iii) develop an integrative theoretical framework explaining how digital mapping technologies mediate geographical-skill development. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, 492 records identified from Scopus and Google Scholar were deduplicated into 470 unique works; 427 studies were included in the thematic and bibliometric synthesis, and 16 intervention studies involving 1,708 learners were pooled using a random-effects model with Hedges’ g. The results show that output grew steadily after 2013 and peaked in 2019–2020; GIS/web-GIS dominated the technology base (≈48%) and spatial thinking the outcome space (≈27%). The indicative pooled effect was moderate and statistically significant, g = 0.51, 95% CI [0.41, 0.62], with low heterogeneity (I² = 11%); controlled studies showed g = 0.47 and single-group pre/post studies g = 0.57. It is concluded that digital mapping technologies reliably support geographical-skill development, particularly when embedded in inquiry-based, problem-based, and scaffolded pedagogical designs, and the proposed Digital Geo-Mediated Learning framework offers a testable model for future research.

Keywords

geographical skills; geospatial technology; meta analysis synthesis; spatial thinking; systematic review

Full Text:

PDF

References

Adanali, R. (2021). How Geogames Can Support Geographical Education? Review of International Geographical Education Online, 11(1), 215 – 235. https://doi.org/10.33403/rigeo.855550

Aliman, M., Sumarmi, & Marni, S. (2024). Developing Spatial Thinking through the Earthcomm Learning Model: Exploring the Role of Earth Science in the Community. Journal of Social Studies Education Research, 15(1), 251 – 281. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85188351778&partnerID=40&md5=fa1ae6609e120d564f45cb409fcd664d

Baker, T. R. (2015). WebGIS in education. Geospatial Technologies and Geography Education in a …. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-55519-3_9

Bearman, N., Jones, N., André, I., Cachinho, H. A., & DeMers, M. (2016). The future role of GIS education in creating critical spatial thinkers. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 40(3), 394 – 408. https://doi.org/10.1080/03098265.2016.1144729

Bednarz, R. S., & Lee, J. (2011). The components of spatial thinking: Empirical evidence. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 21, 103 – 107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2011.07.048

Bednarz, S. W., & Whisenant, S. E. (2000). Mission Geography: Linking National Geography Standards, Innovative Technologies and NASA. International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS), 6, 2780 – 2782. https://doi.org/10.1109/IGARSS.2000.859713

Bernhäuserová, V., Havelková, L., Hátlová, K., & Hanus, M. (2022). The Limits of GIS Implementation in Education: A Systematic Review. ISPRS Int. J. Geo Inf., 11, 592. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi11120592

Bodzin, A. M. (2011). The implementation of a geospatial information technology (GIT)-supported land use change curriculum with urban middle school learners to promote spatial thinking. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 48(3), 281 – 300. https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.20409

Branch, J. (2011). Mapping the Sovereign State: Technology, Authority, and Systemic Change. International Organization, 65, 1–36. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0020818310000299

Collins, L. (2018). The Impact of Paper Versus Digital Map Technology on Students’ Spatial Thinking Skill Acquisition. Journal of Geography, 117(4), 137 – 152. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221341.2017.1374990

Council, N. R. (2006). Leraning to Think Spatially. In Alternative and Complementary Therapies (Vol. 10, Number 3).

Esteves, M. H., & Rocha, J. (2015). Geographical Information Systems in Portuguese Geography Education. European Journal of Geography, 6(3), 6 – 15. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84958175815&partnerID=40&md5=0acfd7145a3c9b598e663337720fc0ae

Farman, J. (2010). Mapping the digital empire: Google Earth and the process of postmodern cartography. New Media & Society, 12, 869–888. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444809350900

Favier, T. T., & Schee, J. A. van der. (2014). The effects of geography lessons with geospatial technologies on the development of high school students’ relational thinking. Computers &Education. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S036013151400089X

Favier, T. T., & Schutjens, V. A. J. M. (2025). Geography excursions with a smartphone app or a teacher: what works best? Journal of Geography in Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/03098265.2025.2498018

Favier, T. T., & Van Der Schee, J. A. (2014). The effects of geography lessons with geospatial technologies on the development of high school students’ relational thinking. Computers and Education, 76, 225 – 236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2014.04.004

Fleming, J., & Mitchell, J. (2017). Effects of giant traveling map use on student spatial thinking. Geographical Bulletin - Gamma Theta Upsilon, 58(2), 67 – 78. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85039701036&partnerID=40&md5=5fb06642164e65b66d3e68a11e5f76f6

González, R. D. M., & ... (2020). WebGIS implementation and effectiveness in secondary education using the digital atlas for schools. … of Geography. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221341.2020.1726991

Hadi, B. S., Mukminan, Muhsinatun Siasah, M., & Sariyono, K. E. (2021). The Effect of Google Earth-Assisted Remote Sensing Learning on Students ’Spatial Thinking Ability in Solving Disaster Mitigation Problems. In S. A., bin Ibrahim H., N. N., V. E., C. P., L. Y., M. null, & G. S.R. (Eds.), IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (Vol. 884, Number 1). IOP Publishing Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/884/1/012013

Huh, S., & Jo, I. (2023). Successes and Struggles: Evaluating Geospatial Technologies Integration in Geography Lessons using TPACK. Journal of Geography, 122(5), 126 – 139. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221341.2023.2224814

Jo, I., Hong, J. E., & Verma, K. (2016). Facilitating spatial thinking in world geography using Web-based GIS. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 40(3), 442 – 459. https://doi.org/10.1080/03098265.2016.1150439

Kerski, J. J. (2015). Geo‐awareness, geo‐enablement, geotechnologies, citizen science, and storytelling: Geography on the world stage. Geography Compass. https://doi.org/10.1111/gec3.12193

Kim, M., Bednarz, R., & Kim, J. (2012). The ability of young Korean children to use spatial representations. International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 21(3), 261 – 277. https://doi.org/10.1080/10382046.2012.698089

Konstantakatos, G., & Galani, L. (2022). How is the use of GIS in geographical and environmental education evaluated? Findings from a systematic review. International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 32, 159–175. https://doi.org/10.1080/10382046.2022.2138167

Kraak, M. J., & Ormeling, F. (2020). Cartography: visualization of geospatial data. taylorfrancis.com. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780429464195

Kulo, V., & Bodzin, A. (2013). The impact of a geospatial technology-supported energy curriculum on middle school students’ science achievement. Journal of Science Education and Technology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-012-9373-0

Kurniawan, E., Syifauddin, M., Sholeh, Muh., Sriyanto, & Sari, S. N. (2024). Environmental Problem-Solving Learning Model with Geographic Information System-Based Learning Media. International Journal of Environmental Impacts, 7(3), 381 – 394. https://doi.org/10.18280/ijei.070301

Lakin, J. M., Wai, J., Olszewski-Kubilius, P., Corwith, S., Rothschild, D., & Uttal, D. H. (2024). Spatial Thinking Across the Curriculum: Fruitfully Combining Research and Practice. Gifted Child Today, 47(3), 170 – 177. https://doi.org/10.1177/10762175241242722

Lambert, J., Munro-Stasiuk, M., Czajkowski, K., Benko, T., Shellito, B., Hedley, M. L., Slattery, W., Sheridan, S., Merry, C., & Struble, J. (2008). Satellites: Students and teachers exploring local landscapes to interpret the earth from space. Journal of Geoscience Education, 56(5), 383 – 393. https://doi.org/10.5408/jge_nov2008_lambert_383

Lee, J., & Bednarz, R. (2009). Effect of GIS learning on spatial thinking. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 33(2), 183 – 198. https://doi.org/10.1080/03098260802276714

Metoyer, S., & Bednarz, R. (2017). Spatial thinking assists geographic thinking: Evidence from a study exploring the effects of geospatial technology. Journal of Geography. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221341.2016.1175495

Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hróbjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., … Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. In BMJ (Vol. 372). BMJ Publishing Group. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71

Perugini, S., & Bodzin, A. M. (2020). Using Web-Based GIS to Assess Students’ Geospatial Knowledge of Hurricanes and Spatial Habits of Mind. Journal of Geography, 119(2), 63 – 73. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221341.2019.1710764

Ridha, S., Putri, E., Kamil, P. A., Utaya, S., & ... (2020). The importance of designing GIS learning material based on spatial thinking. … Series: Earth and …. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/485/1/012027

Romadlon, R. W., Yusuf, Y., & Sarwono, S. (2021). Effect of learning project model-based learning on GIS spatial thinking skills students. In N. null, W. P., M. C., C. leh F., S. J., Y. A., & I. A. (Eds.), IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (Vol. 683, Number 1). IOP Publishing Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/683/1/012045

Schubert, J. C. (2021). Developing Geographic Skills through Experiments: Implementing Experiments in Geography Classroom through GeoBoxes. Review of International Geographical Education Online, 11(2), 525 – 539. https://doi.org/10.33403/rigeo.851222

Schultz, R. B., & DeMers, M. N. (2020). Transitioning from emergency remote learning to deep online learning experiences in geography education. Journal of Geography. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221341.2020.1813791

Sherman-Morris, K., Morris, J., & Thompson, K. (2009). Introducing teachers to geospatial technology while helping them to discover vegetation patterns in owens valley, california. Journal of Geoscience Education, 57(1), 64 – 72. https://doi.org/10.5408/1.3559526

Solem, M., Cheung, I., & Schlemper, M. B. (2008). Skills in professional geography: An assessment of workforce needs and expectations. Professional Geographer, 60(3), 356 – 373. https://doi.org/10.1080/00330120802013620

Tian, J., Koh, J. H. L., Ren, C., & Wang, Y. (2025). Learning geographical information systems through first principles of instruction–effects on student experiences and geocapabilities. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 49(1), 87 – 112. https://doi.org/10.1080/03098265.2024.2403065

Tosun, A., & Gökçe, N. (2024). Improving Spatial Thinking Skills of Gifted Students Through Social Studies Course: An Instructional Module *. Egitim ve Bilim, 49(220), 17 – 58. https://doi.org/10.15390/EB.2024.12724

Uttal, D. H., Miller, D. I., & ... (2013). Exploring and enhancing spatial thinking: Links to achievement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics? Current Directions in …. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721413484756

Walkington, H., Hill, J., & Dyer, S. (2019). Handbook for teaching and learning in geography. In Handbook for Teaching and Learning in Geography. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781788116497

Wijayanto, B., Sumarmi, S., Utomo, D. H., Handoyo, B., & Aliman, M. (2023). Development of E-Module Based on Geospatial Technology to Improve TPACK Competencies of Geography Pre-Service Teacher: A Needs Analysis Review. TEM Journal, 12(2), 1190 – 1200. https://doi.org/10.18421/TEM122-65

Yani, A., Mulyadi, A., & Ruhimat, M. (2018). Contextualization of spatial intelligence: Correlation between spatial intelligence, spatial ability, and geography skills. Journal of Baltic Science Education, 17(4), 564 – 575. https://doi.org/10.33225/jbse/18.17.564

YİĞİT, T., & KARATEKİN, K. (2021). The Effect of Orienteering Applications on Students’ Spatial Thinking Skills in Social Studies: The Case of Turkey*. Review of International Geographical Education Online, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.33403/rigeo.839193

DOI: https://doi.org/10.20961/ge.v12i2.121991

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.