Use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in higher education: practical geomatics applications with Quantum GIS software

• Published in: 2022 International Symposium on Computers in Education (SIIE) pp. 1 - 6
• Main Authors: Novo, Ana, Garrido, Ivan, Lorenzo, Henrique, Arias, Pedro
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 17-11-2022
• Subjects: Computers; Education; Energy engineering; Energy resources; Forest engineer; Forestry; Geomagnetism; Geomatics; Geoprocessing; GIS; ICT; Information and communication technology; Open Source; PBL; QGIS; Software
• DOI: 10.1109/SIIE56031.2022.9982364

Educational systems have undergone a great evolution over time, adapting to the needs of society and students at all times. In this context, an important advance is the increase in the different possibilities of the teaching-learning process provided by Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). ICTs integrated with the Project Based Learning (PBL) methodology allow students to develop their potential to solve real-world problems while increasing their learning capacity. This paper presents two PBL methodologies to be performed in higher education, using open-source Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS) software as an ICT tool. Each PBL methodology presents its potential use as geoinformation technology for forest management and energy resource assessment, respectively. The PBL methodologies allowed the students to acquire knowledge in the use of one of the most demanded software in geomatics applications. The results showed a high quality of the delivered exercises, and a good personal evaluation of the proposed methodologies and a high qualification by the students.