TECHNICAL INNOVATION OF GEOGRAPHY WITH GIS IN HIGHER EDUCATION

The innovative geographical smart class system emphasises the use of technology tools as an important aid in learning and teaching: computers are the main instruction (teaching) tool. Significantly, the integration of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) in teaching has given greater priority to Science, Mathematics, and English. Therefore, Geography has become what students perceive as a ‘dry' subject with little use of technology. Unlike India in developed countries Geography receives more attention and has become a key subject at both the primary and secondary level; as a result, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are widely accepted and integrated into the Under Graduation and Post Graduation Geography curriculum. However, the integration of GIS in Geography education in India is still regarded as a myth, for reasons of lack of ability, human resources, ground facilities, and ICT provision. Thus, this article will discuss the potential to integrate GIS in an Indian Higher Education System, which is well known for being the most sophisticated and well-equipped with ICT in the country. A content analysis was performed based on articles from local and foreign publications regarding the integration of GIS in Geography teaching. The content analyses, which include articles, theses and conference papers, discuss the opportunities to integrate GIS in teaching Geography. The analysis shows that innovative smart classes in India have adequate ICT facilities and well-trained human resources for GIS. Thus, a plan for integrating GIS in Geography education is not a myth and will become a reality if the Indian Ministry of Human Resource and Development is ready to implement it at grass root level.