Spatial Thinking Research at
Texas A&M University
Bob Bednarz (r-bednarz@tamu.edu)
Injeong Jo (injeong@geog.tamu.edu)
Sandra Metoyer (smetoyer@geog.tamu.edu)
Spatial Thinking Research at Texas A&M University
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
(1) Is spatial thinking addressed
in the current geography
curriculum?
(2) Do geography
teachers
incorporate spatial
thinking into their
teaching practices?
Curriculum
Instruction
Assessment
(3) Is the geographic
assessment relevant to
spatial thinking skills?
Spatial Thinking Research at Texas A&M University
A Taxonomy of Spatial Thinking as a Framework to Implement
Spatial Thinking into Geography Classrooms
(Sager & Helgren, 2003, p.178-179)
Spatial Thinking Research at Texas A&M University
A Taxonomy of Spatial Thinking as a Framework to Implement
Spatial Thinking into Geography Classrooms
Example question1: Write the key term that best completes the sentence.
__________ supply great quantities of fish and other sea animals to
North America.
Spatial Thinking Research at Texas A&M University
A Taxonomy of Spatial Thinking as a Framework to Implement
Spatial Thinking into Geography Classrooms
Example question 2. Study the map of world religions.
Then write two generalizations
about the distribution of
The world’s religions.
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 Taxonomy of Spatial Thinking as a Framework to Implement
Spatial Thinking into Geography Classrooms
“A collection of cognitive skills comprised of…”
(NRC 2006, p.12)
Spatial Thinking Research at Texas A&M University
A Taxonomy of Spatial Thinking as a Framework to Implement
Spatial Thinking into Geography Classrooms
Primary category #1: Concepts of space
(Golledge, 1992, 1995, & 2002; Gersmehl, 2005, 2006)
• GNP
• Population
• Fishery
• Terrorism
etc.
Spatial Thinking Research at Texas A&M University
A Taxonomy of Spatial Thinking as a Framework to Implement
Spatial Thinking into Geography Classrooms
Primary category #1: Concepts of space
(Golledge, 1992, 1995, & 2002; Gersmehl, 2005, 2006)
• Location
• Place-specific
identity
• Magnitude
Spatial Thinking Research at Texas A&M University
A Taxonomy of Spatial Thinking as a Framework to Implement
Spatial Thinking into Geography Classrooms
Primary category #1: Concepts of space
(Golledge, 1992, 1995, & 2002; Gersmehl, 2005, 2006)
• Distance
• Direction
• Connection
• Region
• Shape
• Movement
• Boundary
Spatial Thinking Research at Texas A&M University
A Taxonomy of Spatial Thinking as a Framework to Implement
Spatial Thinking into Geography Classrooms
Primary category #1: Concepts of space
(Golledge, 1992, 1995, & 2002; Gersmehl, 2005, 2006)
• Distribution
• Pattern
• Density
• Diffusion
• Hierarchy/ Network
• Spatial association
• Overlay
Spatial Thinking Research at Texas A&M University
A Taxonomy of Spatial Thinking as a Framework to Implement
Spatial Thinking into Geography Classrooms
Primary category #2: Tools of representation
• Map
• Diagram
• Chart
• Graph
etc.
Spatial Thinking Research at Texas A&M University
A Taxonomy of Spatial Thinking as a Framework to Implement
Spatial Thinking into Geography Classrooms
Primary category #3: Processes of reasoning
(Costa, 2000)
• Define
• List
• Label
• Recognize
• Name
• Match
• Count
Spatial Thinking Research at Texas A&M University
A Taxonomy of Spatial Thinking as a Framework to Implement
Spatial Thinking into Geography Classrooms
Primary category #3: Processes of reasoning
(Costa, 2000)
• Explain
• Compare
• Contrast
• Summarize
• Classify
• Infer
• Analyze
Spatial Thinking Research at Texas A&M University
A Taxonomy of Spatial Thinking as a Framework to Implement
Spatial Thinking into Geography Classrooms
Primary category #3: Processes of reasoning
(Costa, 2000)
• Evaluate
• Judge
• Generalize
• Hypothesize
• Predict
• Create
• Build a model
Spatial Thinking Research at Texas A&M University
A Taxonomy of Spatial Thinking as a Framework to Implement
Spatial Thinking into Geography Classrooms
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.
Spatial Thinking Research at Texas A&M University
A Taxonomy of Spatial Thinking as a Framework to Implement
Spatial Thinking into Geography Classrooms
Curriculum
Instruction
Assessment
Spatial Thinking Research at Texas A&M University
Hierarchical Parallel Model of
Spatial Thinking
Metacognition
Spatial
Language
Self-Efficacy
For
Spatial Skills
Spatial
Relations
n
tai
Ob
ills
ed
Rotation/Perspective
ed
uir
cq
Orientation
sA
Visualization
ie
ilit
Scanning
Ab
Recognition
Increasing Complexity
Sk
Synthesis/Decomposition
Mental
Images
Memory
Working Memory
Memory Capacity
Prior ST
Practice
& Play
Imagination
Visual-Spatial
Perception