Share Paper: Spatial Thinking and Geospatial Technologies in Social Studies

  1. Judy Lambert, University of Toledo, United States
  2. Reatha Harrison, University of Toledo, United States

Abstract: It has been argued that spatial thinking should be part of education at all grade levels and that GIS can play a powerful role in promoting spatial thinking. This might be accomplished by using a hierarchical taxonomy of spatial thinking, which progresses from four basic spatial concepts to five levels of more complex and abstract concepts. Using a framework such as this can provide preservice teachers with a foundation and rationale for integrating spatial thinking and supporting GST in their future classrooms. GSTs like GPS and free online applications like Google My Maps might be more practical than GIS, as ...