2011 Fiscal Year Final Research Report
A study of systematization and promotion of spatial thinking with GIS
| Project/Area Number |
22652075
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
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| Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
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| Research Field |
Human geography
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| Research Institution | Tokyo Metropolitan University |
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Principal Investigator |
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| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
MURAKOSHI Shin 静岡大学, 教育学部, 教授 (30210032)
ISHIKAWA Toru 東京大学, 空間情報科学研究センター, 准教授 (70436583)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2010 – 2011
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| Keywords | 地理情報システム |
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| Research Abstract |
The aim of this study was to systematize the elements of spatial thinking and to explore the methods for promoting it with GIS based on behavioral geography and cognitive psychology. By dividing this theme into three subthemes, the following findings were obtained.(1) Concerning systematization of spatial thinking, we arranged the relationship between its three elements(viz., concepts, representation, and reasoning) and related concepts(e. g., spatial literacy and spatial abilities). An analysis of the factor structure through the questionnaire of sense of direction and spatial thinking proved that several independent factors are concerned with spatial abilities and spatial thinking.(2) Concerning the curriculum related to spatial thinking, we analyses the contents of the test questions with topographic maps used in the entrance examination held by the National Center for University Entrance Examination of Japan. The result showed that the skill of reading topographic maps demanded by geography education has changed according to the government curriculum guidelines. In addition, qualitative analysis of the verbal reports obtained from the subjects of university students revealed that the cognitive process of reading topographic maps varied with the types of questions and maps.(3) Concerning the promotion of spatial thinking with GIS, we developed teaching materials of GIS for the business of local government and tested its usefulness for municipal employees. However, we could not confirm the effect of GIS on the promotion of spatial thinking.
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