Exploring the Integration of AI Tools in Geography Fieldwork among Geography Education Student-Teacher

Norhayati Mat Ghani, Nurul Ashikin Izhar, Fatin Qaisara Rozaimi

Abstract


The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into education has revolutionized learning, yet its application in geography fieldwork remains underexplored. This study investigates the experiences and perceptions of pre-service geography teachers regarding AI tools in fieldwork. Specifically, it aims to (1) identify essential criteria for selecting AI tools, (2) examine patterns of AI integration, and (3) explore aspects of fieldwork requiring AI assistance. Using a qualitative approach, open-ended questionnaires were distributed to 31 pre-service teachers, and data were analysed using thematic and descriptive methods. Findings revealed that AI is predominantly adopted for technical tasks such as data analysis (90.3%), mapping (87.1%), and information searching (83.9%), with ease of use and utility for field studies as top criteria. However, AI usage remains limited for creative tasks like report writing, highlighting the continued importance of human critical thinking. The study underscores the transformative potential of AI in enhancing geographical education while addressing challenges such as technological access and the need for targeted training. These findings provide actionable insights for developing teacher education programs that equip future educators with both technological proficiency and critical thinking skills.


Keywords


Artificial Intelligence; Geography Education; Geography Fieldwork; Utilization of AI; Experiences

References


E. Abdekhodaie, J. Hatami, H. Bahrami Ehsan, and R. Kormi-Nouri, "WordCommentsAnalyzer: A windows software tool for qualitative research," F1000Research, vol. 7, pp. 1–17, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.14819.1

T. Adiguzel, M. H. Kaya, and F. K. Cansu, "Revolutionizing education with AI: Exploring the transformative potential of ChatGPT," Contemporary Educational Technology, vol. 15, no. 3, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.30935/cedtech/13152

C. H. Chang et al., "Lessons from learner experiences in a field-based inquiry in geography using mobile devices," International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 41–58, 2012. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1080/10382046.2012.639155

R. Calderwood and L. Chalmers, "Geography scholarship, scholarship and thinking," New Zealand Geographer, vol. 77, no. 2, pp. 130–136, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1111/nzg.12292

L. Ciascai et al., "Geographical field trips during university studies. whereto," The European Proceedings of Social and Behavioural Sciences, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.15405/epsbs.2018.06.58

D. Corrochano and A. G. Gonçalves, "How glaciers function and how they create landforms: testing the effectiveness of fieldwork on students’ mental models—a case study from the Sanabria Lake (NW Spain)," Geosciences, vol. 9, no. 5, p. 238, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences9050238

M. Fargher, "WebGIS for geography education: Towards a GeoCapabilities approach," ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information, vol. 7, no. 3, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi7030111

D. France and M. Haigh, "Fieldwork@40: fieldwork in geography higher education," Journal of Geography in Higher Education, pp. 1–17, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1080/03098265.2018.1515187

A. Harry, "Role of AI in Education," Injuruty: Interdisciplinary Journal and Humanity, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 260–268, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://injurity.pusatpublikasi.id/index.php/in

İ. Himmetoğlu, M. Karagöz, A. Türker, and B. Aksoy, "Determination of high school students’ awareness of geographical elements with fieldwork: a qualitative research," Bulletin of Educational Studies, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 76–90, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.61326/bes.v2i2.137

B. Hosen et al., "Leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Big Data for Advanced Spatial Analytic and Decision Support System in Geography," Malaysian Applied Geography, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 62–67, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.26480/magg.02.2023.62.67

M. S. Jong, C. C. Tsai, H. Xie, and F. K. Wong, "Integrating interactive learner‐immersed video‐based virtual reality into learning and teaching of physical geography," British Journal of Educational Technology, vol. 51, no. 6, pp. 2064–2079, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.12947

J. Lee, "Designing an Inquiry-based Fieldwork Project for Students Using Mobile Technology and Its Effects on Students’ Experience," Review of International Geographical Education (RIGEO), vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 14–39, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.33403/rigeo.637666

C. Leininger-Frézal and S. Sprenger, "Virtual field trips in binational collaborative teacher training: opportunities and challenges in the context of education for sustainable development," Sustainability, vol. 14, no. 19, p. 12933, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.3390/su141912933

L. L. Sitohang et al., "Head to the field: fieldwork as a direct experience learning tool in the integrated geography course," Technium Social Sciences Journal, vol. 50, pp. 71–78, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.47577/tssj.v50i1.9869

R. Liu, R. Greene, X. Li, T. Wang, M. Lu, and Y. Xu, "Comparing geoinformation and geography students’ spatial thinking skills with a human-geography pedagogical approach in a Chinese context," Sustainability, vol. 11, no. 20, p. 5573, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.3390/su11205573

P. Mishra and M. J. Koehler, "Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge: A Framework for Teacher Knowledge," Teachers College Record: The Voice of Scholarship in Education, vol. 108, no. 6, pp. 1017–1054, 2006. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9620.2006.00684.x

R. Mussakhan, "Methods and techniques of remote organization of fieldwork in geography lessons," Pedagogy and Psychology, vol. 56, no. 3, pp. 2023. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.51889/2960-1649.2023.15.3.006

D. A. Oktavianto, S. Utaya, Sumarmi, and D. Taryana, "Geographic-inquiry on virtual environment mobile application to support fieldwork based on blended learning," International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 466–474, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.11591/ijere.v13i1.26597

F. Özüdoğru, "An investigation of pre-service teachers’ beliefs regarding technology integration in education," Journal of International Social Research, vol. 12, no. 67, pp. 738–745, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.17719/jisr.2019.3762

H. Rakuasa, "Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Geography Learning: Challenges and Opportunities," Sinergi International Journal of Education, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 75–83, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://journal.sinergi.or.id/

L. Ruan, Y. Long, L. Zhang, and G. Lv, "A platform and its applied modes for geography fieldwork in higher education based on location services," ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information, vol. 10, no. 4, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi10040225

M. Şen, Ş. N. Şen, and T. G. Şahin, "A New Era for Data Analysis in Qualitative Research: ChatGPT!" Shanlax International Journal of Education, vol. 11, no. S1-Oct, pp. 1–15, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.34293/education.v11is1-oct.6683

J. Tondeur, K. Aesaert, S. Prestridge, and E. Consuegra, "A multilevel analysis of what matters in the training of pre-service teachers’ ICT competencies," Computers & Education, vol. 122, pp. 32–42, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2018.03.002

N. Tunjera and A. Chigona, "Teacher educators' appropriation of TPACK-SAMR models for 21st-century pre-service teacher preparation," International Journal of Information and Communication Technology Education, vol. 16, no. 3, pp. 126–140, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.4018/ijicte.2020070110

United Nations Secretary-General, "Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals," 2024.

T. Wepener, "Namibian secondary-level school learners’ lived experiences of physical geography," The Journal of Geography Education in Africa, vol. 5, pp. 49–76, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.46622/jogea.v5i1.3785

M. Zafari, J. S. Bazargani, A. Sadeghi-Niaraki, and S. M. Choi, "Artificial Intelligence Applications in K-12 Education: A Systematic Literature Review," IEEE Access, vol. 10, pp. 61905–61921, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2022.3179356

García-Peñalvo, F. J., & colleagues. (2020). The role of artificial intelligence in education: Current trends and future directions. Education and Information Technologies, 25(1), 1-20.

Kerski, J. J. (2018). The role of GIS in geography education. Journal of Geography, 117(3), 85-92.




DOI: https://doi.org/10.11591/edulearn.v20i3.24345

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2026 Intelektual Pustaka Media Utama

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Journal of Education and Learning (EduLearn)
p-ISSN: 2089-9823; e-ISSN: 2302-9277
Published by Intelektual Pustaka Media Utama (IPMU) in collaboration with the Institute of Advanced Engineering and Science (IAES).

View EduLearn Stats