State of the Map Africa 2021

Learning Across Borders: OpenStreetMap in Schools
11-21, 14:45–15:45 (UTC), Room 1
Language: English

Teaching OpenStreetMap and open mapping in schools has shown tremendous potential to bolster the learning of geography and technology while preparing students for STEM careers around the world. This Birds of a Feather session will bring together those that are interested in growing the next generation of mappers by using OpenStreetMap in school settings and create space to hear lessons from different groups, such as OpenStreetMap Uganda, who have experience teaching OpenStreetMap in the classroom.


Join this Birds of a Feather session to discuss how we can use OpenStreetMap in the classroom to improve learning experiences for students while training a new generation of skilled mappers and geographers. As COVID-19 disrupted learning around the world, unequal access to education and technology has only become more urgent to address. OpenStreetMap, as a global movement with a low barrier of entry, has the potential to support learning of geography and technology while reducing the impact of this inequity.

We’ll also discuss and share ideas on:
- How can we overcome barriers such as access to technology and the internet to ensure that all students have an opportunity to learn through OpenStreetMap?
- What successes have you achieved in teaching OpenStreetMap to students and vocational learners?
- What challenges do you have or have you experienced in introducing OpenStreetMap in and other learning environments?
- How can schools collaborate across borders and use OpenStreetMap to learn from each other?

This Birds of a Feather will also serve as a listening session for TeachOSM organizers to hear how they can better support and collaborate with OSM Africa communities to integrate OpenStreetMap into schools. Started in 2013 as a grassroots project by educators for educators, TeachOSM provides educator training, content and curriculum for integrating OpenStreetMap in the classroom, and advocates for OpenStreetMap in educational settings.

This session will be co-facilitated by MapUganda Acting Executive Director Kiggudde Deogratias alongside TeachOSM organizers Steven Johnson and Jess Beutler.

Jess Beutler is the Program Director at OpenStreetMap US. Her focus is to strengthen the impact and breadth of programs for the OSM US community as well as support TeachOSM, a program designed to assist educators using OpenStreetMap in the classroom. Jess has led participatory mapping projects and supported OpenStreetMap communities across sub-Saharan Africa, southeast Asia, and the Caribbean. She helped organize the first State of the Map Africa in 2017 and is a member of OSM Liberia.