Learning with Geoinformation 2011 Implementing Digital Earth in education

1. Learning with Geoinformation 2011Implementing Digital Earth in education Review of GI usage in the Bulgarian school system Lubomir FILIPOV and Alexander KOTSEV, PhD GIS Analytics Ltd. July 6, 2011 | Salzburg, Austria

2. Geography at school Learning with Geoinformation 2011 | Salzburg, Austria Implementing Digital Earth in education “Teaching Geography at school means to build up citizens of the world that are conscious, independent, responsible, critical and able to live in consonance with the environment, changing it in a creative and sustainable way, looking at the future” *. * Reference: http://www.geografia-italiana.it/, accessed 25.01.2011.

3. Geography at school and GIS Learning with Geoinformation 2011 | Salzburg, Austria Implementing Digital Earth in education We believe that geographic information systems (GIS) could be valuable addition and stimulation in several educational subjects. GIS is one of the most relevant uses of computers in school, with roots firmly in geography and geographic education, but fundamental in many other subjects.

4. Legal basis of the Bulgarian school system Learning with Geoinformation 2011 | Salzburg, Austria Implementing Digital Earth in education • According to Bulgarian educational law, schools in Bulgarian are state, municipal and private. • All state and municipal schools are free and school education is obligatory up to age of 16. • The school education is primary and secondary. • There are two obligatory state exams at high school graduation. • In 2010 the “geography and economy” is the most preferred subject of choice for the state exam. …the result is that 18% of all participants in this subject have failed the exam.

5. General condition of the Bulgarian school system Learning with Geoinformation 2011 | Salzburg, Austria Implementing Digital Earth in education • Unequal regional distribution through out the country in regard to building conditions, books and manuals, computer labs, etc. • Outdated teaching materials/different versions of teaching manuals. • Increased study materials/merged disciplines; • Time-framed lessons full of definitions and fact and no time for exercise/practice.

6. General condition of the Bulgarian school system Learning with Geoinformation 2011 | Salzburg, Austria Implementing Digital Earth in education This stimulates load learning, memorization and standardization and devalues self-expression, self-exploration, questioning and creativity. Results: • PIRLS 2006 – Bulgarian 4 grade students among top 10 countries in reading • PISA 2006 – Bulgarian 9 grade students are among the last ones * Progress in International Reading Literacy Study – PIRLS 2006 * Program for International Student Assesment – PISA 2006

7. General condition of the Bulgarian school system Learning with Geoinformation 2011 | Salzburg, Austria Implementing Digital Earth in education Positive trend: • Additional budget to stimulate obligatory preschool preparation for 5 years old and full day school for first and second grade. • Information and communication equipment: internet access and computer equipment provided to all state and municipal schools by 2010.

8. School geography in Bulgaria Learning with Geoinformation 2011 | Salzburg, Austria Implementing Digital Earth in education • School geography is underrepresented regarding the duration of classes diminishing. • School curriculum in geography is lagging behind and is primarily descriptive in nature. • Bulgaria virtually lacks behind regarding any school textbooks dedicated to GIS usage.

9. School geography in Bulgaria Learning with Geoinformation 2011 | Salzburg, Austria Implementing Digital Earth in education Huge potential for the introduction of digital geographical content within various disciplines, based on: • Relatively good availability of school computer laboratories and teachers in geography, the majority of who have taken a course in either GIS and geoinformatics or cartography. • Excellent internet infrastructure in the country, placing Bulgaria among the first ten in the world in terms of speed and affordability of internet upload and download * * Reference: www.Speedtest.net

10. IP per capita Learning with Geoinformation 2011 | Salzburg, Austria Implementing Digital Earth in education

11. Survey among major GIS vendors and schools initiatives in GIS: software availability? Learning with Geoinformation 2011 | Salzburg, Austria Implementing Digital Earth in education • During January 2011 and email survey was conducted with all major GIS software vendors in Bulgaria. • Only one vendor has provided software Lab Kit with 25 GIS licenses to National Natural-Matemathical School in Sofia. • Some of the vendor’s feedback: lack of government initiatives and support; lack of interest and initative from the high schools and no official subject or lessons related to GIS.

12. Uses of GIS in classroom: case study in NNMS Learning with Geoinformation 2011 | Salzburg, Austria Implementing Digital Earth in education • During the school year 2006/2007 we have conducted a course in cartography in National Natural-Mathematical School in Sofia, Bulgaria; • Introduction to GIS as a part of cartography course; • Visit to the International GIS day – looking a real projects, implementations, etc. • Feedback from the leading geography teacher: • Increased student interest, compare to previous years; • High grades achievement, due to the increased interest in usage of online GIS portals, collecting and analyzing data.

13. GIS day secondary student attendance Learning with Geoinformation 2011 | Salzburg, Austria Implementing Digital Earth in education

14. Challenges in regard to situation in Bulgaria Learning with Geoinformation 2011 | Salzburg, Austria Implementing Digital Earth in education • The lack of resources, which is related to the curriculum in place, is one of the most serious obstacles towards the introduction of GIS-based education for schools. • The situation is improving with the availability of the deliverables of the iGuess project which was accomplished by a wide range of partners from EU countries. The project is integrating GIS Use in Education in Several Subjects and is implemented within the Lifelong learning programme of the European Commission - www.iguess.eu;

15. Challenges in regard to situation in Bulgaria Learning with Geoinformation 2011 | Salzburg, Austria Implementing Digital Earth in education • Pedagogical challenges • Guidelines for curriculum improvement • Focus on problem oriented teaching and learning and spatial thinking • Resources targeted at disciplines other than geography • Resources with translation

16. Challenges in regard to situation in Bulgaria Learning with Geoinformation 2011 | Salzburg, Austria Implementing Digital Earth in education • Technological challenges • Provision of interoperable geobased educational services • Use of affordable or free of charge software products • Educational portal resources for teachers and students

17. Free is a good price! Learning with Geoinformation 2011 | Salzburg, Austria Implementing Digital Earth in education • FOSS (Free and open source software) provides readily available tools and data products which can be used in the classroom • European Union declares global leading role in FOSS creation • Our mission • Provision of educational content to a wide audience • Raising the awareness of the use of non-proprietary solutions • Affordable solutions based on a per-case principle

18. Conclusion and outlook Learning with Geoinformation 2011 | Salzburg, Austria Implementing Digital Earth in education • Change of student’s motivation, educational methods and curriculum, by introducing new techniques, corresponding to modern requirements. • Spatial thinking and application of GIS as a scientific instrument can help develop and improve the quality of education in different subjects.

19. Conclusion and outlook Learning with Geoinformation 2011 | Salzburg, Austria Implementing Digital Earth in education Maybe the ideal solution would be foundation of a European-wide Educational Spatial Data Infrastructure This would ensure the availability of all necessary resources for implementation of geographical knowledge within the curriculum, not only for geographical disciplines, but throughout the curriculum within an interdisciplinary environment.

20. THANK YOU! Learning with Geoinformation 2011 | Salzburg, Austria Implementing Digital Earth in education Lubomir FILIPOV Alexander KOTSEV, PhD GIS Analytics Ltd. lubomirfilipov@gis-analytics.eu akotsev@gis-analytics.eu