Teaching and learning pedagogies in higher education geographic information science

Abstract

Geographic information science (GIScience) has evolved into an almost universally applicable body of knowledge and can be found in the curriculum of a wide range of disciplines. In the teaching and learning of GIScience, the traditional lecture-based pedagogies and the newer experiential learning pedagogies are the primary approaches. In this study, a background review was conducted focusing on the experiential pedagogies used to teach and learn GIScience in higher education contexts. However, given the complex learning needs of the modern university student, it may be that neither lecture-based nor experiential learning alone would be effective, and they need to be combined in innovative ways to enhance student learning. Consequently, this study provides higher education instructors with an overview of multiple pedagogies that can be used in various combinations to motivate and engage students in a flexible learning process.