Introduction of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in Technical University Education in Ghana: Challenges and the Way Forward

Year 2017, Volume: 7 Issue: 2, 207 - 220, 30.08.2017

Prince C. Acquah Jack N. Asamoah Daniel D. Konadu

Abstract

Geographic Information System (GIS) continue to play very important role in improving spatial
thinking skills of graduates from higher educational institutions. However, teaching and learning of
GIS at the technical university level in Ghana remains very limited due to some implementation
challenges. This paper reviews the implementation of GIS in higher education in Ghana and also
highlights the major implementation challenges of teaching and learning of GIS at the technical
universities in Ghana. The status of GIS education in the technical universities in Ghana is also
highlighted. An exploratory and descriptive research approach was adopted for the study focusing on
the implementation challenges of teaching and learning of GIS in technical universities in Ghana. The
findings of the study reveal the wide acceptance and the need for GIS education in engineering and
built environment departments in the technical universities in Ghana. The paper then concludes with
some recommendations that would help to improve teaching and learning of GIS technology at the
technical universities in particular and higher education in Ghana in general. 

Keywords

Geographic Information System, GIS Education, Technical University, Polytechnic, Challenges

References

• Baker T. R., Kerski J.J., Huynh N. T., Viehrig K., & Bednarz S. W. (2012). Call for an Agenda and Center for GIS Education Research, Review of International Geographical Education Online (RIGEO), 2, (3), 254-288.
• Bansal, V. K., & Pal, M. (2007). “Potential of Geographic Information Systems in building cost estimation and visualisation.” Automation in Construction, 16 (3), 311–322.
• Bearman, N., Munday, P., & McAvoy, D. (2015). Teaching GIS outside of geography: A case study in the School of International Development, University of East Anglia. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 39 (2), 237-244.
• Bednarz, S. W., & Van der Schee, J. (2006). Europe and the United States: The implementation of geographic information systems in secondary education in two contexts. Technology, Pedagogy and Education, 15 (2), 191–205.
• Bednarz, S. W. (2004). Geographic information systems: A tool to support geography and environmental education? GeoJournal, 60, 191–199.
• Broda, H., & Baxter, R. (2003). Using GIS and GPS technology as an instructional tool. The Social Studies, 94 (4), 158–160.
• Dempsey, C. (2012). What is GIS, https://www.gislounge.com/what-is-gis/ [Accessed 18th March 2016].
• Chen, R. J. (2007). Geographic information systems (GIS) applications in retail tourism and teaching curriculum. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 14 (4), 289-295.
• Cheng, M. Y., & Yang, C. Y. (2001). “GIS-Based cost estimate integrated with material layout planning.” Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 127 (4), 291-299.
• Chinchu K.S., & Selvakumar G. (2012). Web Service Based E-Logistics Application. International Journal of Modern Engineering Research (IJMER) 2 (2): 084-088.
• Dale P.F, & McLaren R.A (1999). GIS in land administration. Geographic Information Systems, (2), 859 – 875.
• Dibiase, D., Foote, K. E., Tate, N. J. and Unwin, D. J. (2011) Ways Forward for GIS&T Education, in D. J. Unwin, K. E. Foote, N. J. Tate and D. DiBiase (eds), Teaching Geographic Information Science and Technology in Higher Education, 451-467, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, Chichester, UK. doi: 10.1002/9781119950592.ch29
• ESRI (2011). GIS for Higher Education, Retrived from https://www.esri.com/library/bestpractices/higher-education.pdf .
• Estaville, L. E. (2010). Geospatial workforce trends in theUnited States. International Journal of Applied Geospatial Research, 1 (1): 57–66.
• Favier T. T, & Van der Schee, J. (2012). Exploring the characteristics of an optimal design for inquiry-based geography education with Geographic Ingormation System, Computers and Education, 58 (1), 666-677.
• Favier, T., & Van der Schee, J. (2007). Learning to think geographically with GIS. Future Prospects in Geography, 395-404.
• Gill, N., & Bharath, B. D. (2013). Identification of optimum path for tourist places using GIS based network analysis: a case study of New Delhi. International Journal of Advancement in Remote Sensing, GIS and Geography, 1 (2), 34-38.
• Johansson, T. & Pellikka, P. (2006). Geographical information systems applications for schools. 9th AGILE International Conference on Geographic Information Science. Shaping the future of Geographic Information Science in Europe, Visegrád, Hungary, April, 2006.
• Kerski, J. J. (2003). The implementation and effectiveness of geographic information systems technology and methods in secondary education. Journal of Geography, 102 (3), 128–137
• Miller, H. J., and Shaw, S.L. (2015), Geographic Information Systems for Transportation in the 21st Century. Geography Compass, 9: 180–189.
• McClurg P.A. & A. Buss (2007). Professional Development: Teachers Use of GIS to Enhance Student Learning. Journal of Geography, 106:79-87 National Curriculum Framework for School Education (2000), National Council of Education Research and Training (NCERT), New Delhi.
• Nyarko D. A. (2011) Polytechnic Education in Ghana: the challenges and prospects. An address on the occasion of the NABPTEx/polytechnics meeting Accra, 23rd march, 2011.
• Oppong J.R., Ofori-Amoah B. (2012). Ghana: Prospects for Secondary School GIS Education in a Developing Country. In: Milson A., Demirci A., Kerski J. (eds) International Perspectives on Teaching and Learning with GIS in Secondary Schools. 115-123, Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007- 2120-3_13.
• Rezaee, N., Nayeripour M., Niknam T., and Roosta A. (2009). Role of GIS in Distribution Power Systems. World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, 3 (12), 2314- 2318.
• Rudibaugh, M., & Ferguson B. (2010) Mapping geospatial education at U.S. community and technical colleges. Journal of the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association, 22 (2): 40–44.
• Sinton, D. S. (2011) Making the Case for GIS&T in Higher Education, in D. J. Unwin, K. E. Foote, N. J. Tate and D. DiBiase (eds), Teaching Geographic Information Science and Technology in Higher Education,17-36, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, Chichester, UK. doi: 10.1002/9781119950592.ch2
• Schultz, R. B. (2011) Active Pedagogy Leading to Deeper Learning: Fostering Metacognition and Infusing Active Learning into the GIS&T Classroom, in D. J. Unwin, K. E. Foote, N. J. Tate and D. DiBiase (Eds), Teaching Geographic Information Science and Technology in Higher Education, 133-143, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, Chichester, UK. doi: 10.1002/9781119950592.ch9 The Ghana ICT for Accelerated Development (ICT4AD) Policy”, 2003. The Republic of Ghana. http://www.moc.gov.gh/moc/PDFs/Ghana_ICT4AD_Policy.pdf [Access 20th June 2016].
• Waddell, P. (2002). UrbanSim: Modeling urban development for land use, transportation, and environmental planning. Journal of the American Planning Association, 68 (3), 297-314.
• Whyatt, D., Clark G., & Davies G. (2011) Teaching geographical information systems in geography degrees: A critical reassessment of vocationalism. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 35 (2): 233–244.
• Wigglesworth, J. (2003). What is the best route? Route-finding strategies of middle school students using GIS. Journal of Geography, 102 (6), 282–291.
• Zhou, Y., Smith, B.W. & Spinelli, G. (1999). Impacts of increased student career orientation on American college geography programmes. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, Vol. 23, No. 2, pp. 157-165.