THE USE OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN GEOGRAPHY CLASS AT THE GENERAL SECONDARY LEVEL OF EDUCATION

Osrednji namen magistrskega dela je, da preučimo in predstavimo geografske informacijske sisteme (GIS-e) kot učni pripomoček, orodje, ki ga lahko uporabimo pri pouku geografije za vizualizacijo, analizo in geografsko sintezo prostorskih podatkov. V teoretičnem delu smo na podlagi analize izbranih strokovnih virov in literature opisali osnovne značilnosti GIS-ov, prednosti in slabosti GIS-ov pri pouku geografije ter njihove možnosti uporabe. Z vidika vključenosti GIS-ov v pouk geografije smo analizirali slovenski in finski učni načrt na splošnem sekundarnem nivoju izobraževanja ter preučili značilnosti projektnega učnega dela. V raziskovalnem delu magistrskega dela smo s kvalitativno metodo pedagoškega raziskovanja načrtovali projektni učni dan – dan GIS. Uporabili smo brezplačen in javnodostopen program Quantum GIS (QGIS) ter javnodostopne prostorske podatke. Izdelali smo predloge za uporabo GIS-ov pri pouku geografije, učna gradiva za dijake in dijakinje tretjih letnikov in delovna navodila za učitelje. Učitelji geografije lahko z izdelanimi učnimi gradivi učence vodijo pri usvajanju temeljnega znanja in veščin dela z GIS-i, natančneje s programom QGIS. Poudarjamo, da uporaba GIS-ov pri pouku geografije učencem omogoča razvijanje znanj in spretnosti na višjih taksonomskih ravneh, predvsem razvijanje sposobnosti za vrednotenje prostora in ugotavljanje vzročno-posledičnih procesov.The main purpose of this thesis is to examine and introduce geographic information systems as a teaching accessory, a tool, which can be used in geography class for visualization, analysis, and geographic synthesis of spatial data. In the theoretical part we described the main characteristics of geographic information systems, advantages and disadvantages of geographic information systems’ use in geography class, plus the options of their usage based on the technical literature and sources’ analysis. We analyzed a Slovene and Finnish curriculum at the general secondary level of education from the point of view of GIS’ inclusion in geography class, and we examined the characteristics of project work. In the empirical part we planned a project day – GIS day with the help of a qualitative research method. In the process we used a free and publicly accessible program Quantum GIS (QGIS) and publicly accessible spatial data. We prepared propositions of the possibility of geographic information systems’ use in geography class, study materials for pupils of the third grade in secondary school, and work instructions for teachers. With study materials geography teachers can guide pupils to acquire basic knowledge and skills with geographic information systems, more specifically, with the program QGIS. We highlight that the use of GIS in geography class enables development of knowledge and skills at higher taxonomic levels, especially development of ability to evaluate space and establish causally-consequential connections in it