Geography Achievement and Opportunity to Learn: A Focus on Computer and Educational Technology

Abstract

Computers and geospatial technologies such as Geographic Information Systems, Google Earth, and the Global Positioning System (GPS) are increasingly common tools for geography instruction in schools. The NAEP Data Explorer was used to conduct an analysis of geography achievement in the eighth grade based on differences in students’ access to and uses of computers and other technologies at home and school. The analysis over the study period (1994–2018) documents the emergence of technologies available to support geography instruction. Results point to differences in geography achievement associated with differential access to technology and applications of technology for geographic learning.

Keywords:

• NAEP
• geography education
• socioeconomic status
• geospatial technology
• Internet

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by NSF grant DRL-1937307.

Notes on contributors

Yusik Choi

Yusik Choi is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Geography at Texas State University. His research focuses on historical GIS and data exploration in search of spatiotemporal patterns.