A study of systematization and promotion of spatial thinking with GIS

本研究旨在将空间思维的要素系统化，并以行为地理学和认知心理学为基础，探讨利用GIS促进空间思维的方法。通过将这一主题分为三个子主题，得到以下发现。(1)在空间思维的系统化方面，我们安排了空间思维的三个要素之间的关系。，概念，表示和推理)和相关概念(e。例如，空间素养和空间能力)。通过方向感和空间思维问卷对空间能力和空间思维的因素结构进行分析，发现有几个独立的因素与空间能力和空间思维有关。(2)在空间思维相关课程方面，分析了日本国立大学入学考试中使用地形图的试题内容。结果表明，地理教育要求的地形图阅读技能根据政府课程指导方针发生了变化。此外，通过对大学生口头报告的定性分析，发现地形图阅读的认知过程随问题类型和地图类型的不同而不同。(3)在利用GIS促进空间思维方面，我们开发了面向地方政府业务的GIS教材，并对其在市政工作人员中的实用性进行了测试。然而，我们无法证实地理信息系统对空间思维的促进作用。

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.