Abstract: In the era of rapid development of information technology and mass innovation and mass entrepreneurship, innovation and innovative talents have become an important driving force for national development, and innovation education and cultivation of innovative talents have become an important task for colleges and universities. In this paper, taking the GIS major of Wuhan University as an example. Combined with the characteristics and advantages of the major, the cultivation mode of the innovation ability of GIS major students driven by "Geographical literacy, Surveying and mapping skills" and the cultivation approaches of "solid foundation, emphasizing knowledge, strengthening skills" are explored. Focusing on the internal and external factors of the cultivation and growth of innovative talents, innovative development exploration has been carried out from four aspects, Optimizing talent training program and curriculum system, innovative teacher team and new teaching methods, innovation platform and conditions of teaching and scientific research, evaluation and incentive mechanism of innovative talents development. Through the practice, remarkable innovation achievements have been achieved and good demonstration has been produced.

Key words: geographical literacy, surveying and mapping skills, innovative talents, cultivation mode, GIS