GIS and Digital Mapping Links
GIS, digital mapping, spatial data, story maps, geospatial tools & classroom applications
A curated selection of tools, guidance, examples and resources for using GIS and digital mapping effectively in Geography education
Websites and Articles
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Esri UK — Teach with GIS
A comprehensive collection of resources designed to help teachers integrate GIS into teaching and learning through interactive maps, spatial data and geographical enquiry. The site includes classroom resources, maps, data and guidance for teachers using ArcGIS in schools.
Explore Teach with GIS →
https://schools.esriuk.com/
ArcGIS StoryMaps
ArcGIS StoryMaps enables maps, text, photographs, video and other media to be combined into interactive geographical narratives. It can be used by teachers to develop engaging place-based resources and by students to communicate geographical enquiries, investigations and arguments.
Explore StoryMaps →
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/
ArcGIS Survey123
A digital survey and field-data collection tool that enables students to gather geographically referenced information using phones, tablets or computers. Data can then be mapped, visualised and analysed, making Survey123 particularly useful for geographical fieldwork and enquiry.
Explore Survey123 →
https://www.esriuk.com/en-gb/arcgis/products/arcgis-survey123/overview
Royal Geographical Society — Using ArcGIS Survey123 for the A-Level Geography NEA
A practical geography-specific example of using Survey123 to support data collection for the A-level Independent Investigation. Students can collaboratively collect geolocated data and immediately explore initial maps, graphs and charts before exporting their dataset for more detailed analysis.
Explore resource →
https://www.rgs.org/schools/curriculum-and-professional-support/ideas-for-teachers/data-skills-in-geography-using-arcgis-survey123-for-the-a-level-geography-nea
Navigatio — Geographic Tools for Education
Developed by Brendan Conway using Claude AI, Navigatio is a growing collection of free digital tools designed to make geographic data visualisation more accessible in education. Its Geo Mapper 2D and 3D tools allow students to upload georeferenced CSV data, create interactive maps, apply filters and buffers, measure distance and area, generate survey points, annotate maps and explore data using a range of basemaps and overlays.
The site also includes sample physical and human fieldwork datasets, a British National Grid converter and a growing range of experimental geographical visualisation tools.
Explore Navigatio →
https://navigatio.earth/
Geographical Association — How Mapping and the Use of GIS Enrich Geographical Thought and Action
A useful reflection on the importance of maps, mapping and GIS in helping students think geographically. It considers GIS not simply as a technical skill, but as part of how geographers investigate spatial patterns, relationships and processes.
Read article →
https://geography.org.uk/blogs/how-mapping-and-the-use-of-gis-enrich-geographical-thought-and-action/
Field Studies Council — GIS
A substantial collection of resources showing how GIS can support different stages of geographical enquiry. It includes guidance on using GIS for data collection, presentation, analysis, drawing conclusions and evaluation.
Explore GIS resources →
https://www.field-studies-council.org/resources/16-18-geography/gis/
Field Studies Council — GIS for Data Collection
Practical guidance on using GIS during fieldwork, including ArcGIS Online and Survey123 to collect geographical data directly in the field and locate observations spatially.
Explore resource →
https://www.field-studies-council.org/resources/16-18-geography/gis/gis-for-data-collection/
Field Studies Council — GIS for Data Presentation and Analysis
Useful guidance demonstrating how GIS can move students beyond simply plotting locations. Spatial data can be mapped in different ways, interrogated and combined with other datasets to identify patterns, relationships and anomalies.
Explore GIS resources →
https://www.field-studies-council.org/resources/16-18-geography/gis/
Field Studies Council — GIS for Data Collection
Practical guidance on using GIS during fieldwork, including ArcGIS Online and Survey123 to collect geographical data directly in the field and locate observations spatially.
Explore resource →
https://www.field-studies-council.org/resources/16-18-geography/gis/gis-for-data-collection/
Some of my own thoughts on GIS and digital technologies:
I have written a number of pieces exploring the role of GIS, spatial intelligence and digital technologies in geography education, including the challenges of embedding them meaningfully within the curriculum.
The GIS Disconnect — three-part series
Part 1 — Geography, Spatial Intelligence and the Growing Disconnect
Reflecting on the 2026 Esri UK Annual Conference, I consider the growing importance of GIS and spatial intelligence beyond schools and the potential disconnect with their place in school geography.
Read Part 1 →
https://robgeogchambers.substack.com/p/the-gis-disconnect-part-1-geography
Part 2 — GIS in Schools, Digital Literacy and the Persistence of the Disconnect
I explore why GIS can remain difficult to embed meaningfully in school geography, including issues around curriculum time, teacher confidence, training, infrastructure and digital literacy.
Read Part 2 →
https://robgeogchambers.substack.com/p/the-gis-disconnect-part-2-gis-in
Part 3 — Geography, GIS and the Question of Progression
I consider what meaningful progression in GIS might look like and how students can develop increasingly sophisticated spatial and digital geographical capabilities across the curriculum.
Read Part 3 →
https://robgeogchambers.substack.com/p/geography-gis-and-the-question-of
Designing Digital Learning with Purpose
I reflect on the use of digital technologies through the lens of curriculum, teaching and subject leadership, drawing particularly on my experience of using SharePoint to support student learning and arguing for technology to be driven by educational purpose.
Read article →
https://robgeogchambers.substack.com/p/designing-digital-learning-with-purpose