Geographic information systems, practical experiences in higher education

Abstract

Geographic information systems (GIS) are technological tools for capturing, storing, analyzing, and visualizing geospatial data. This study presents the development and educational implementation of the Sistema de Información Geográfica para el desarrollo Sostenible (SIGDS) or geographic information system for sustainable development, an open-source geoportal integrating renewable energy assessment, smart-grid monitoring, and disaster-risk management at the Technical University of Manabí, Ecuador. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining GIS implementation, spatial database development, root mean square error (RMSE)-based validation, and educational evaluation through a structured survey administered to 77 engineering students. Survey reliability was confirmed using Cronbach's alpha (alpha=0.84). GIS validation revealed positional and thematic discrepancies of less than 5%. Results indicate that 85% of users reported improved interdisciplinary understanding, while spatial problem-solving performance increased by approximately 20% compared with conventional instruction. Survey scores revealed strong perceptions of employability enhancement (4.62/5), interdisciplinarity (4.35/5), and acceptable accessibility (3.88/5). The proposed geoportal contributes to higher education by providing a replicable framework for integrating renewable energy planning, disaster resilience, and geospatial analysis into engineering curricula. The platform also supports real-time monitoring and decision-making processes for sustainable territorial development.