PENERAPAN SISTEM INFORMASI GEOGRAFIS (GIS) PADA PENDIDIKAN GEOGRAFI UNTUK MENINGKATKAN PEMAHAMAN KONSEP DAN KEMAMPUAN SPASIAL

Abstract

Geography education has emerged as a critical arena in developing students' understanding of the complexity of the physical and human world. In efforts to enhance the effectiveness of geography teaching, the integration of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology has become a primary focus. This study aims to explore the impact of GIS technology integration in geography education teaching, particularly in improving students' understanding of concepts and spatial skills. The research methods employed include literature review and case study analysis. The study findings indicate that the use of GIS technology in geography education teaching has successfully enhanced students' understanding of geographic concepts and spatial skills. GIS integration enables students to visualize and analyze geographic data interactively, significantly enhancing their understanding of geographic phenomena and their relationships with the surrounding environment. Moreover, the use of GIS also enhances students' spatial skills, including map reading, understanding geographic coordinates, and analyzing spatial patterns. However, challenges such as limited technology access and the need for more intensive training for teachers in GIS usage also need to be addressed. This article concludes by emphasizing the importance of GIS technology integration in geography education teaching as a means to improve students' understanding of concepts and spatial skills.