FREE GIS APPLICATIONS IN GEOGRAPHY TEACHING

Abstract

The information age has provided geography a significant position based on the principles of geographic information systems, which are more widely integrated into daily life. A significant number of mapping applications has become accessible over the Internet to a wide audience and millions of users, sometimes unwittingly, focusing on the use of these services, via PC or various kinds of portable devices. Google maps, OpenStreet maps, Bing Maps, and other similar online applications, using satellite maps and aerial images, GPS and,a local database have become increasingly popular and their use is more massive. Certainly, the development of information technology is changing the role of maps and there is more frequent use of interactive digital maps (or atlas) compared to the classical maps. Expanding the use of mapping applications and general geographic techniques and tools to users who are not professionals or even geographers, created the concept today known as the ''new geography''.Free GIS software can be widely used in teaching geography through accepting the basic cartographic concepts and creating simple student maps in order to develop creativity and more spontaneousacceptance of geographical knowledge. Web GIS applications based on the concept of cloud computing, which allows editing map by registered users are very popular today, too. Many cartographic applications, since they are easy available, don't have a complex environment or complicated user solutions (which is good for students), and their use in western countries is precisely adjusted to different age groups, including elementary school, the so-called GIS for kids.