Extending the Cartography Classroom with LBS: the Design, Implementation, and Preliminary Evaluation of a Guided Tour Educational Module.

Abstract This paper describes the design and implementation of an educational module for an advanced cartography course, which tasked students with creating map-based guided tours delivered through a web browser. Web-enabled guided tours have been utilized in geographic curriculum to support situated learning—directly connecting theory with real-world locations— but this has rarely, if ever, extended to the cartography classroom. The goal of the module was twofold: create a tangible connection between the mapmaking process and place, and cultivate mobile-first and LBS design skills. To assess the module, I used a combination of quantitative and qualitative surveys, as well as an instructor’s log to record issues and insights.