ANNOUNCEMENTS
The integration of geospatial technology in education is increasingly recognized as essential for fostering spatial thinking among students. This study documents the implementation and monitoring of the Master Mentors Geo-enabling Indian Scholars (MMGEIS) program using Esri’s geospatial tools, with a focus on digitizing data collection, improving data accuracy, and visualizing participant progress.
Initially, student data was collected using conventional means, which resulted in inconsistencies, missing geospatial information, and difficulties in monitoring engagement. To address these issues, a standardized form was developed using Survey123 for ArcGIS, allowing for real-time, geo-tagged data collection. This form was deployed across institutions, capturing structured student data including name, institution, grade, state, and registration stage, with automatic latitude and longitude capture.
The cleaned and geocoded dataset was then visualized using ArcGIS Dashboards, offering an interactive platform for monitoring student participation across stages and locations. The dashboard enabled program coordinators to view state-wise participation, track the number of students in each stage, and analyze grade-wise engagement using maps and graphical representations.
The findings highlight the efficiency of using integrated geospatial tools for educational program monitoring. The study demonstrates how GIS technologies like Survey123 and ArcGIS Online can be leveraged for accurate data capture, process automation, and real-time decision-making. It also provides recommendations for improving outreach, mentor engagement, and regional participation in future implementations.
