Spatial Thinking Research at Texas A&M University Bob Bednarz Injeong Jo Sandra Metoyer

Does GIS and Other Geo-spatial Technology Support Spatial Thinking? Spatial Thinking Research at Texas A&M University

A Taxonomy of Spatial Thinking as a Framework to Implement Spatial Thinking into Geography Classrooms Spatial Thinking Research at Texas A&M University Curriculum Instruction Assessment (1) Is spatial thinking addressed in the current geography curriculum? (2) Do geography teachers incorporate spatial thinking into their teaching practices? (3) Is the geographic assessment relevant to spatial thinking skills?

A Taxonomy of Spatial Thinking as a Framework to Implement Spatial Thinking into Geography Classrooms Spatial Thinking Research at Texas A&M University (Sager & Helgren, 2003, p )

A Taxonomy of Spatial Thinking as a Framework to Implement Spatial Thinking into Geography Classrooms Spatial Thinking Research at Texas A&M University Example question1: Write the key term that best completes the sentence. __________ supply great quantities of fish and other sea animals to North America.

A Taxonomy of Spatial Thinking as a Framework to Implement Spatial Thinking into Geography Classrooms Spatial Thinking Research at Texas A&M University Example question 2. Study the map of world religions. Then write two generalizations about the distribution of The world’s religions.

A Taxonomy of Spatial Thinking as a Framework to Implement Spatial Thinking into Geography Classrooms Spatial Thinking Research at Texas A&M University

A Taxonomy of Spatial Thinking as a Framework to Implement Spatial Thinking into Geography Classrooms Spatial Thinking Research at Texas A&M University “A collection of cognitive skills comprised of…” (NRC 2006, p.12)

A Taxonomy of Spatial Thinking as a Framework to Implement Spatial Thinking into Geography Classrooms Spatial Thinking Research at Texas A&M University Primary category #1: Concepts of space (Golledge, 1992, 1995, & 2002; Gersmehl, 2005, 2006) GNP Population Fishery Terrorism etc.

A Taxonomy of Spatial Thinking as a Framework to Implement Spatial Thinking into Geography Classrooms Spatial Thinking Research at Texas A&M University Primary category #1: Concepts of space (Golledge, 1992, 1995, & 2002; Gersmehl, 2005, 2006) Location Place-specific identity Magnitude

A Taxonomy of Spatial Thinking as a Framework to Implement Spatial Thinking into Geography Classrooms Spatial Thinking Research at Texas A&M University Primary category #1: Concepts of space (Golledge, 1992, 1995, & 2002; Gersmehl, 2005, 2006) Distance Direction Connection Region Shape Movement Boundary

A Taxonomy of Spatial Thinking as a Framework to Implement Spatial Thinking into Geography Classrooms Spatial Thinking Research at Texas A&M University Primary category #1: Concepts of space (Golledge, 1992, 1995, & 2002; Gersmehl, 2005, 2006) Distribution Pattern Density Diffusion Hierarchy/ Network Spatial association Overlay

A Taxonomy of Spatial Thinking as a Framework to Implement Spatial Thinking into Geography Classrooms Spatial Thinking Research at Texas A&M University Primary category #2: Tools of representation Map Diagram Chart Graph etc.

A Taxonomy of Spatial Thinking as a Framework to Implement Spatial Thinking into Geography Classrooms Spatial Thinking Research at Texas A&M University Primary category #3: Processes of reasoning (Costa, 2000) Define List Label Recognize Name Match Count

A Taxonomy of Spatial Thinking as a Framework to Implement Spatial Thinking into Geography Classrooms Spatial Thinking Research at Texas A&M University Primary category #3: Processes of reasoning (Costa, 2000) Explain Compare Contrast Summarize Classify Infer Analyze

A Taxonomy of Spatial Thinking as a Framework to Implement Spatial Thinking into Geography Classrooms Spatial Thinking Research at Texas A&M University Primary category #3: Processes of reasoning (Costa, 2000) Evaluate Judge Generalize Hypothesize Predict Create Build a model

A Taxonomy of Spatial Thinking as a Framework to Implement Spatial Thinking into Geography Classrooms Spatial Thinking Research at Texas A&M University Jo, I. & S. Bednarz (in press). Evaluating Geography Textbook Questions from Spatial Perspectives: Concepts, Using Tools of Representation, and Cognitive Processes to Evaluate Spatiality. Journal of Geography.

A Taxonomy of Spatial Thinking as a Framework to Implement Spatial Thinking into Geography Classrooms Spatial Thinking Research at Texas A&M University Curriculum Instruction Assessment

Hierarchical Parallel Model of Spatial Thinking