Collaborative Research/Applied Research: Map and Spatial Skills of Children and Teachers, and How They are Affected by the 'Where are We?' Instructional Materials

这个应用研究项目建立在IMD资助的“我们在哪里？”的基础上，并提出了以下研究问题：使用WAW后，学生在现实世界的地图任务上是否表现得更好？学生在使用这些材料后，哪些具体的误解和弱点仍然普遍存在？使用该课程后，学生在地图技能任务上的表现预期会有多大改善？教师如何判断学生是否已经学习？教师的空间能力与他们使用材料的可能性之间有什么关系？该项目将对地图技能进行定量、可靠的实地评估，并将其与其他工具一起用于三类人群：使用材料的小学生；7-15岁以上不使用材料的儿童；还有职前小学教师。这些评估的结果将用于重新设计教材。

The applied research project builds on the IMD funded "Where are We?" and poses the following research questions: Do students perform significantly better on real-world map tasks after using WAW?What specific misconceptions and weaknesses remain widespread among students after using the materials?How much improvement in student performance on map skills tasks would be expected after using the curriculum?How can teachers tell whether student learning has occurred?What is the relationship between teachers' spatial abilities and the likelihood they would use the materials?The project will develop quantitative, reliable field-based assessments of map skills and use them, along with other instruments, with three populations: elementary students using the materials; children over the 7-15 age range who do not use the materials; and preservice elementary teachers. Results from these assessments will be used in a redesign of the materials.