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The ability to read a map was once an essential skill that everyone learned as a child.

But a growing reliance on smartphones and sat-nav systems mean many people have lost the power to find their way around.

Modern society has become 'sedated by software', experts have warned, as they called for navigation to be returned to the classroom.

The Royal Institute of Navigation said that we have allowed ourselves to become overly reliant on technology.

GPS technology in our cars, like the one being used by the woman above, and on smartphones are eroding people's ability to navigate and read maps, experts at the Royal Institute of Navigation have warned

It wants schools to encourage the teaching of basic map-reading, because few pupils learn to navigate at home.

The institute's president, Roger McKinley, said: 'It is concerning that children are no longer routinely learning at home or school how to do anything more than press "search" buttons on a device to get anywhere.

'Many cannot read a landscape, an Ordnance Survey map, or find their way to a destination with just a compass, let alone wonder at the amazing role astronomy plays in establishing a precise location.

'Instead, generations are now growing up utterly dependent on signals and software to find their way around.'

Mr McKinley believes that map-reading is not only an essential skill, it also develops an appreciation of maths and science. Much more is being lost.

'Traditional navigation skills encourage independent thought based on calculation and self-reliance, and have throughout history. 

'Fortunately, Captain Cook did not wait for a sat nav signal to reach South East Australia.

'Global positioning satellites are a great innovation, but they are turning course setting by instrument and calculation, which has guided how civilisation developed, into little more than a heritage talent.

'As anyone who has struggled to get a signal, or wondered why their sat nav has turned them 'left' when "right" was plainly correct knows, technology cannot always be relied upon.'

The Royal Institute of Navigation says map reading skills are a valuable tool that school pupils should learn and they should also be given the chance to navigate using other traditional methods such as by the stars

The Royal Institute's intervention comes after a study in January revealed that one in seven motorists make dangerous mistakes while blindly following their GPS system.

Road safety charity Brake warned that drivers are putting themselves and others in danger by complying too readily with the sat-nav's instruction to 'turn around when possible'.

Some 75 per cent of motorists now rely on navigation systems, according to insurer Direct Line.

Mr McKinley said: 'The trained human brain is infinitely better in a crisis at working out a sensible route and taking in all relevant data, such as weather and terrain.'

Most hillwalkers and mountaineers now even tend to use maps only as a backup over their GPS devices

'But there is a wider issue than navigation here.

'Our view is that reliance on computers presents no conceptual challenges.

'The human brain is left largely inert and untaxed while calculations are made electronically, by a software "brain" without the elasticity to make connections and judgements.'

Ordnance Survey, the UK's mapping service, said: 'Being able to read a map will help you get so much more out of your time outdoors - whether it is walking, cycling, horse riding or touring.'