Seeking New Types of GIS Education for Geoscience Students and Researchers

Geoscience investigations frequently make use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Nevertheless, becoming proficient in GIS poses significant challenges. It necessitates a foundational understanding of geography and cartography, such as principles of map projections, methods for operating computers, and associated technology, along with skills in graphics, spreadsheets, and database applications. Furthermore, contemporary ideas and technologies, including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), web mapping, and drones, have been incorporated into modern GIS. Thus, a thorough GIS education for aspiring students and researchers is crucial for advancing geoscience. Given this need, we have created GIS instructional methodologies and online resources. These encompass web-based GIS tools for exploring GIS applications, freely accessible online resources for mastering GIS software, and resources for utilizing drones, AR, and VR in conjunction with GIS. Our latest project focused on hands-on training in disaster risk management by leveraging innovative geomorphological research, concentrating on GIS and associated technologies. Our educational initiatives cater to a diverse range of learners, including graduate and undergraduate students, high school learners, and researchers from various disciplines. We implement practical applications of the educational resources developed by these participants and assess the materials' effectiveness through surveys, among other methods. The findings assist in enhancing the teaching resources. This presentation outlines our initiatives and examines their influence to set future directions.