María Jesús GONZÁLEZ GONZÁLEZ*1, Alfonso PISABARRO1
* Corresponding author
1 University of León, Faculty of Philosophy and Letters, Department of Geography and Geology, León, SPAIN
E-mail: mjgong@unileon.es; ORCID: 0000-0002-3639-3446
E-mail: apisp@unileon.es; ORCID: 0000-0002-7084-2508
Pages: 109-119. DOI: 10.24193/JSSP.2024.2.03
Received: 15 May 2024
Received in revised form: 25 November 2024
Accepted for publication: 24 December 2024
Available online: 30 December 2024
Cite: González González M. J., Pisabarro A. (2024), Developing a Holistic Strategy Based on GIS and Story Mapping for Learning and Communicating Geography. Journal of Settlements and Spatial Planning, 15(2), 109-119. DOI: 10.24193/JSSP.2024.2.03
Abstract. The Geographic Information System (GIS) offers a vast array of applications, tools, techniques, and digital resources in geographic science, including digital cartography, remote sensing, virtual globes and web viewers. Recently, these technologies have gained prominence due to their high scientific and educational value. They provide an ideal platform for digital learning and for fostering curricular and methodological innovation in Geography education, with significant potential for independent distance learning. Based on practical activities and student satisfaction surveys, this paper demonstrates that modern GIS tools and story mapping are powerful mechanisms for understanding geographic and land-planning concepts. They also provide a more engaging and pedagogical way to communicate a holistic vision of the world. The results show an increase in student motivation and an improvement in space skills. The findings highlight that innovative methods for sharing visually georeferenced and geographic content can significantly enhance the teaching and learning experience connected with real-world problems.
K e y w o r d s: story mapping, ArcGIS, land planning, collaborative work, urban development