{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,10]],"date-time":"2026-02-10T17:01:13Z","timestamp":1770742873734,"version":"3.49.0"},"reference-count":20,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"2","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,11]],"date-time":"2025-02-11T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1739232000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"JSPS KAKENHI","award":["JP21H00627"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["JP21H00627"]}]},{"name":"JSPS KAKENHI","award":["JP24K00171"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["JP24K00171"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["IJGI"],"abstract":"<jats:p>In recent years, secondary schools and university departments related to geography have begun to teach various topics using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). In particular, WebGIS, available online without installing additional software, is recognized as a powerful educational tool for educators and students. However, research on how students perceive and utilize digital maps to understand geographical objects and investigate the complexity of such learning is insufficient. Therefore, we initiated a study to clarify these research questions by implementing Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) education using a digital hazard map developed with WebGIS technology, focusing on young people in Japan, including secondary school and university students. The results indicate that DRR education using a simple digital map is helpful for a wide range of students regardless of age. Still, some perceive difficulty in learning to use a digital hazard map. Map representation strongly affects students\u2019 interpretation of vulnerable areas. The maps\u2019 layers and functions are more useful when added gradually, corresponding to students\u2019 ability and familiarity with GIS in the initial stage of geography education using maps to prevent students\u2019 negative impressions caused by complex issues and technical problems.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ijgi14020076","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,12]],"date-time":"2025-02-12T11:08:51Z","timestamp":1739358531000},"page":"76","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":2,"title":["Evaluating Digital Map Utilization and Interpretation Skills of Students"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"14","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-6812-100X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Hiroyuki","family":"Yamauchi","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Art Research Center, Ritsumeikan University, 56-1 Toji-in Kitamachi, Kita-ku, Kyoto 603-8577, Japan"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Jiali","family":"Song","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Center for Spatial Information Science, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa 277-8568, Japan"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-8340-6994","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Takashi","family":"Oguchi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Center for Spatial Information Science, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa 277-8568, Japan"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-3228-3001","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Takuro","family":"Ogura","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Graduate School of Education, Hyogo University of Teacher Education, 942-1 Shimokume, Kato 673-1494, Japan"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-0987-5677","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Kotaro","family":"Iizuka","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Center for Spatial Information Science, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa 277-8568, Japan"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,11]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","first-page":"29","article-title":"Teaching topographic map skills and geomorphology concepts with Google Earth in a one-computer classroom","volume":"117","author":"Hsu","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. 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