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On the map with Lotfi Djemai and Julien Lagarde from Conseil scolaire Viamonde

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Lotfi Djemai, an educational consultant, and Julien Lagarde, a support teacher, both with the Conseil scolaire Viamonde, design practical resources that empower education teams to effectively use geographic information systems (GIS) in their teaching.

Supporting passionate professionals is always inspiring. In recent years, Conseil scolaire Viamonde in Ontario has been very active in integrating geographic information systems (GIS) into its middle and high school programs. With the implementation of single sign-on for accessing ArcGIS Online in 2024, integrating these tools into the program has become much easier. This one-time authentication process allows teachers and students to access the software directly by logging in using the board's online tools, without having to request an account.

At Conseil scolaire Viamonde, Lotfi Djemai, an educational consultant, and Julien Lagarde, a support teacher, are responsible for various projects, particularly those related to geography and secondary school transition programs. Lotfi and Julien have graciously agreed to share their experience with GIS.

The image shows Lotfi and Julien in two separate chest-level photos. On the left, Lotfi is wearing a light denim-colored shirt with the top two buttons undone, revealing a silver chain around his neck. He is smiling. It is a sunny day, and he is wearing sunglasses. His skin tone is slightly dark. He has sparse gray-white hair on the top of his head. Behind him is the exterior wall of a building that appears to be made of beige stone and a grove of trees with bright green leaves. Behind him, at the level of his left shoulder, there is a sort of metallic sphere that is not clearly visible. The image on the right is also a chest shot of Julien. Julien is posing in front of a white wall. Smiling, he is wearing a two-tone gray polo shirt. The collar is dark gray, as is the upper part of the pocket located at chest level. The rest of the shirt is light gray. Julien has short hair. His eyes, eyebrows, and hair are dark brown. His skin has a slightly pinkish tone.

Lotfi Djemai and Julien Lagarde from Conseil scolaire Viamonde

What motivated you to use geographic information systems (GIS) with students?

The various geography courses, for both intermediate and secondary levels, include learning objectives related to discovering, using and analyzing data generated using GIS, for example. It was therefore important for us to provide students and geography teachers with an accessible and user-friendly tool related to this geospatial technology. In addition, we wanted to diversify the range of certifications offered within the various Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM).

At what grade levels and in what contexts is GIS used at Conseil scolaire Viamonde?

ArcGIS Online is now available to all schools on the board’s website at csviamonde.ca. We have also incorporated the tool into our geography training programs for secondary school teachers. GIS can therefore be used in various contexts, including geography courses from grades 7 through 12. We have created an ArcGIS certification program for students in grades 11 and 12 as part of several SHSM courses. It consists of a one-day training session designed to introduce students to the platform and teach them how to use it in different situations.

Describe the GIS projects in progress at the school board.

As part of the SHSM certifications, students are required to:

The image has two main parts: a text box on the left side, centered vertically one-third of the way down the image, and a vector drawing of a map on the right side. On the first two lines taking up half the vertical space of the box, it says: “GIS IN SHMS CERTIFICATIONS” in capital letters; on the third line, “Introduction to ArcGIS Online”; on the fourth line, “Lotfi Djemai and Julien Lagarde”; and on the fifth line, “September 8, 2025”. The image of the map is divided into three sections that mimic the folds of a paper map using three shades of blue, ranging from a lighter blue to a darker blue. The background of the map is blue, in three distinct shades, and there are three green polygons with curved outlines that suggest three continental masses. Two dotted lines intersect in the center of the map. One of them runs southwest to northeast, and the other runs west to east. In the first section of the map, on one of the continental masses, there is an oversized red icon marking a point on the map. Another similar icon is located at the top of the third section and marks a point at the end of the dotted line that runs mostly west to east.

The GIS in SHSM Certifications workshop (in French) presented at the GIS in Education and Research Conference in Toronto in October 2025 provides an overview of GIS content in SHSM certifications in environment and information and communication technology (ICT).

This project not only meets the SHMS requirements for students in grades 11 and 12—namely, earning recognized industry certifications such as training in GIS and participating in contextualized learning activities—but it also allows students in geography classes from grades 7 through 12 to actively engage in the investigative process.

Students thus have the opportunity to apply transferable skills such as critical thinking, collaboration and communication, while also exploring the content of the geography curriculum in a hands-on and interdisciplinary manner.

Numerous educational approaches can be used to integrate the ArcGIS Online platform into the classroom, including: project-based learning, case studies, explicit instruction on digital tools, problem-solving and collaborative work.

What has been the reaction of the educators while using GIS?

Survey123 was particularly well-received because it allows students to collect, visualize and analyze data. After using the GIS tool in our training sessions and educational activities, we realized the importance of providing ongoing support and guidance to students and teachers who have never used the tool or who struggle with its complexity and technical nature. That’s why we are currently creating a series of short modules designed to help users learn the tool step by step using concrete examples.

How would you like to see GIS used by teaching staff?

We’re continuing to create educational modules designed to showcase ArcGIS activities that teachers can easily incorporate into their classrooms. These activities are designed to:

  • make the tool easier for students to use,

  • develop transferable skills like critical thinking, problem-solving and communication, and

  • establish practical connections to the teaching content of various subjects.

We also plan to expand our understanding of ArcGIS Instant Apps and ArcGIS Experience Builder, with the goal of developing a specific industry-focused certification for students enrolled in the SHSM program.

Where do you see GIS being used in your school district?

The goal is to expand the use of GIS in intermediate and secondary schools, with a focus on making it a valuable learning tool for students. This integration will strengthen the development of transferable skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, communication and collaboration—key competencies recognized in the Ontario curriculum.

We also hope to offer specific support to students who express an interest in the Skills Ontario GIS competition. This annual competition gives high school students the opportunity to work in teams to solve a real-world problem using ArcGIS. Students are required to create maps, conduct spatial analyses and present their findings to a panel of judges. This is a unique opportunity for them to apply what they’ve learned in a challenging environment while preparing for careers in technology and skilled trades.

Our thanks to Lotfi and Julien for sharing their stories and for the inspiration their projects bring us!

Your toolbox

We’re always available to answer your questions and to guide and support you with your projects. Write to us at k12@esri.ca.

If you’d like to get started on your GIS adventure, visit our website to obtain free access for you and your students: k12.esri.ca.

For more activity ideas and a wide range of resources, visit our K12 Resource Finder.

This post was written in French by Arabelle Sauvé and can be viewed here.