Technology and Geographical Education: A Pragmatic View

The role of technology in education has been the object of a lot of attention and many of its proponents are often enthusiastically embracing its potential. This paper contributes to the debate by providing a pragmatic view based upon a decade long attempt to integrate many technologies in geographical education. Although the advantages of using technology are numerous, especially at improving the quality of the material and of its delivery, it appears that so far technology does not improve significantly the quality of education. For each advantages technology brings about, there is a corresponding pitfall. So far technology has not delivered what was anticipated implying that technology and education needs to be properly assessed. It is however argued that a critical mass has been reached, notably with course management systems, meaning that technology is having a growing positive impact on education.