A study of the effects of geospatial technologies on human spatial cognition and spatial thinking

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This study examined the process of geospatial thinking in the settings of map learning, geography education and spatial behavior of everyday life in order to clarify the effect of geospatial technologies on this process based on the theory and method of behavioral geography and cognitive psychology. Major findings obtained are as follows: (1) Teaching materials of maps made with GIS were applied to a high school geography class and revealed that they are effective to promote spatial thinking depending on the way of sequence and type of questions; (2) Since spatial thinking abilities consist of a variety of aspects, geospatial technologies have limited effects on human spatial thinking; (3) Map use in everyday life, travel experience and outdoor activities are effective to enhance the spatial thinking abilities.