Enhancing Hybrid Learning using Open Source GIS-Based Maps Archiving System

Abstract

In the era of communication technology and its integration with the learning process, the role of the educational institutions has significantly changed, especially after the expansion of Internet use and the rise of what's currently known as “Internet-based learning environments”. After the COVID-19 pandemic, it was necessary for researchers to search for alternatives to the traditional pedagogical approaches of maps teaching so as to cultivate well-educated learners able to adapt to rapidly changing technology-enhanced learning. Hence, the aim of this study is to develop the learning process in the Geography and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) departments in the faculties of Cairo University. To the best of the researchers’ knowledge, this is the first study in Egyptian universities and research associations that utilized GIS and open-source technology to use such a system in classroom pedagogical settings. For achieving this aim, GIS capabilities and a bunch of open-source technologies were utilized to build online maps archiving system that provides rapidly discover, preview, and retrieve digital maps of different types from multiple repositories through several query operations. This will facilitate the teaching process for both staff and students and will make it more interactive and safer. To ensure the efficiency of the designed system, it was tested by a set of tools (Checklist and Questionnaires). The findings of the study point to the proposed system as contributing in significant ways to developing the learning process, increasing students’ interaction with maps, and providing the necessary learning tools.