Call for an Agenda and Center for GIS Education Research

Abstract

Despite nearly 20 years of intensive investment by higher education, industry, primary and secondary
teachers, youth and community leaders, government agencies, and non-profits organizations in
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in education around the world, a GIS education research
agenda has yet to be developed. This paper provides a rationale and a broad background for a
GIS education research agenda and describes what that agenda should include. This agenda
identifies research progress made in:
student learning and outcomes
instructor professional development
technical development, to identify where major gaps still exist.
In so doing, it is hoped that this agenda will serve as a focal point of communication for the GIS
education research community and encourage additional and deeper research into these and related
topics so that future directions in GIS education will have a sound research base on which to build.