A couple of days ago, I attended the “Digital Mapping Platforms as Praxis for Teaching and Learning” ITP skill lab, which explored how digital tools like OpenStreetMap can be integrated into educational settings. As someone currently enrolled in a mapping course where we’re using geographic software like MapInfo, I found OpenStreetMap much simpler and straightforward. It’s a great option for beginners—particularly for K-12 and undergraduate students—or anyone needing a refresher, like me and possibly you! Compared to MapInfo, which involves downloading large datasets and geocoding locations, OpenStreetMap offers a more manual, hands-on approach.
During the workshop, we used the CUNY Digital History Archive to map historical locations. Instead of dealing with large data files like in MapInfo, the process was, actually, much more straightforward. We selected subjects from the CUNY archive that interested us, each with an image and a location, then we pinned the address or coordinates into OpenStreetMap. After pinning them, we added custom features like images and descriptions using simple lines of code provided by the platform.
For those who couldn’t attend, one of the key takeaways for me was how accessible and user-friendly OpenStreetMap is. It’s perfect for quick mapping projects or classroom settings where students can jump in without a steep learning curve. While it’s more manual than MapInfo, that simplicity was actually a major advantage—it allows for a more interactive and customizable experience without getting bogged down by large datasets or complex processes. This makes it an excellent tool for brainstorming how digital mapping can promote collaboration, whether you’re mapping historical events, neighborhoods, buildings, or anything with coordinates, I assume.
Overall, this workshop was a helpful refresher for anyone working with mapping tools and a great introduction to OpenStreetMap’s flexibility. If you’re looking for an easier platform to get started with, or you missed the session, I’d definitely recommend trying out OpenStreetMap—it’s free!
You can sign up here if you’d like to give it a try 🙂
