PERSPECTIVES OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF WEB GIS TECHNOLOGIES IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF ARMENIA

Abstract

The 21st century is marked by the rapid development of science and technology, clearly demonstrated by the unprecedented growth of artificial intelligence and machine learning in recent years. Within the framework of geographical science, geographic information systems (GIS) occupy a particularly important place, as they represent a synthesis of geography and modern information technologies. By offering extensive opportunities for the collection, analysis, and visualization of spatial data, GIS significantly expand the methodological toolkit of geography and support data-driven spatial thinking. At the same time, these technologies create favorable conditions for the integration of information technologies into public schools' education, enabling geography to be taught and perceived from a fundamentally new perspective. Based on the results of international research and contemporary educational practices, this article examines the current state of GIS education in public schools in the Republic of Armenia. Attention is given to identifying the main challenges related to the implementation of GIS in the school curriculum, including teachers' preparedness, technical and infrastructural limitations, and the content-related characteristics of existing educational materials. The study emphasizes the need for a systematic approach to GIS integration in secondary education and highlights the potential role of web-based GIS solutions in overcoming existing barriers.