Digitalization of geographic higher education: problems and prospects

Abstract

Abstract The article addresses the relevant issue of today – digitalization of geographic higher education. The future of geographic education in the digital world depends on the use of digital technologies, which are dramatically changing approaches to teaching geography. The generalization of scientific literature and the analysis of pedagogical experience allow the authors to define the concept digitalization of geographic. The article explores some challenges in the implementation of digital technologies in geographic disciplines in higher education: narrowing geographic education digitalization to the use of various gadgets; the application of general purpose digital technologies; underestimation of GIS technologies during the study of geography; occasional use of VR, AR technologies and mobile applications of geographic and cartographic content; the lack of educational and methodological support and proper technological availability. The authors pay special attention to the prospects for the development of geographic education digitalization, which are envisioned in the introduction of “Digitalization of geographic education” into the curriculum of future geography teachers training; the use of high-quality free educational resources (ArcGIS Online, QGIS); the creation of own geo-information platforms (“Digital Geography”); and updating of the material and technical base of the scientific research laboratory on the methodology of teaching geo-information technologies.