The usage of geographical information systems in high school geography lessons

The spatial technologies used in this age in which the technology develops rapidly has provided reinterpretation of the natural and human phenomena taking place on earth. These spatial technologies are used effectively by many developed countries nowadays. By starting from primary education Geographical Information Systems, which make the analyses of geographical events on earth possible, are being used in geography lessons in countries like U.S.A. On the other hand in our country this system has taken place in new Geography Curriculum in 2005 but it cannot be applied properly. In our country GIS has just recently started to be given an importance so, already graduated secondary education geography teachers before have not exactly been acknowledged on this topic. While teaching how to use the GIS to the geography teachers, they should also be helped in how to adapt it to the lessons. In addition it can be noted that they need software on GIS. This study includes the use of GIS in the secondary education geography curriculum, basic characteristics of GIS and three sample lesson practices of the 9th, 10th and 11th grades. For GIS applications, ArcView 9.2 software has been used. Key Words: Geography Teaching, Geographical Information Systems, Geographical Information Technologies