Did you know that the way humans have understood and shared knowledge about the world around them has always involved two fundamental tools: stories and maps? From ancient cave paintings that marked hunting grounds, to medieval illustrated manuscripts, to today’s interactive digital platforms — narrative and geography have always belonged together.

This introductory course explores the concept of Map Storytelling: what it is, why it is powerful, what its key components are, and how it can be implemented in the classroom. Whether you are completely new to the concept or looking to deepen your understanding before diving into hands-on practice, this course provides the conceptual foundation for everything that follows in the module.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Define Map Storytelling and explain what makes it different from a traditional map or a traditional text
• Describe the three main components of a map story: narrative, maps, and multimedia
• Explain the educational value of narrative and maps as learning tools
• Identify the four main ways Map Storytelling can be used in a classroom context