Research Article
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Relationship of Pupils’ Spatial Perception and Ability with Their Performance in Geography

Year 2017, Volume: 7 Issue: 2, 154 - 170, 30.08.2017

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between pupils’ spatial perception and abilities
and their performance in geography. The sample was 600 6th-grade pupils from various areas of
Greece selected by the cluster sampling method. The study results showed that: a) the vast majority of
pupils showed low spatial ability; b) there was a deficit of geographical knowledge (according to the
curriculum), with satisfactory performance only in plan views and orientation; c) the pupils who
showed higher performance in geography course assessment test and in geographical abilities test have
better spatial perception; d) the school type (pilot school using new technologies, and traditional
school) did not seem to cause any difference to the pupils spatial perception; e) Pupils’ gender was not
found to cause significant difference to spatial perception, or to their performance; f) parents’
education was found to correlate with the pupils’ performance in geography. 

References

  • Allen, G. L. (Ed.). (2007). Applied spatial cognition: From research to cognitive technology. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
  • Apostolopoulou, E. & Klonari, A. (2011). Pupils’ representations of rivers on 2D and 3D maps. Procedia-Social and Behavioural Sciences, 19, 443-449.
  • Baker, T. R., Battersby, S., Bednarz, S. W., Bodzin, A. M., Kolvoord, B., Moore, S., Sinton, D. & Uttal, D. (2015). A research agenda for geospatial technologies and learning. Journal of Geography, 114 (3), 118-130.
  • Battista, M. T. (2007). The development of geometric and spatial thinking. Second handbook of research on mathematics teaching and learning, 2, 843-908.
  • Bednarz, S. W., & Bednarz, R. S. (1995). Preservice geography education. Journal of Geography, 94 (5), 482-486.
  • Bertoline, G. (1998). Visual Science: An Emerging Discipline. Journal for Geometry and Graphics, 2, 181-187.
  • Bishop, A. J. (1980). Spatial abilities and mathematics education – A review. In Critical issues in mathematics education, 71-81.Springer US.
  • Bloom, E., & Palmer-Moloney, L. J. (2004). Meeting the challenge: Integrating geographic technology into today's social studies classroom. Meridian: A Middle School Computer Technologies Journal, 7 (1), 1-5.
  • Condie, R., Munro, B., Seagraves, L. & Kenesson, S. (2007). The impact of ICT in schools-a landscape review. UK: Becta Research.
  • Doering, A., & Veletsianos, G. (2007). An investigation of the use of real-time, authentic geospatial data in the K-12 classroom. Journal of Geography, Special Issue on Using Geospatial Data in Geographic Education, 106 (6), 217 225.
  • Gallagher, S. (2001). The practice of mind. Theory, simulation or primary interaction?. Journal of Consciousness Studies, 8 (5-6), 83-108.
  • Geary, D. C., Saults, S. J., Liu, F., & Hoard, M. K. (2000). Sex differences in spatial cognition, computational fluency, and arithmetical reasoning. Journal of Experimental child psychology, 77 (4), 337-353.
  • Gersmehl, F. & Gersmehl, A. (2007). Spatial thinking by young children: Neurologic evidence for early development and “educability”. Journal of Geography, 106, 181-191. National Council for Geographic Education.
  • Gryl, I., & Jekel, T. (2012). Re-centring geoinformation in secondary education: toward a spatial citizenship approach. Cartographica: the international journal for geographic information and geovisualization, 47 (1), 18-28.
  • Gryl, I., Jekel, T., & Donert, K. (2010). GI and spatial citizenship. Learning with GI, V, 2-11.
  • Hyde, J. S., Geiringer, E. R., & Yen, W. M. (1975). On the empirical relation between spatial ability and sex differences in other aspects of cognitive performance. Multivariate Behavioral Research, 10 (3), 289-309.
  • Jones, C. M., Braithwaite, V. A., & Healy, S. D. (2003). The evolution of sex differences in spatial ability. Behavioral neuroscience, 117 (3), 403.
  • Injeong, J. & Bednarz,S. (2014) Developing pre-service teachers' pedagogical content knowledge for teaching spatial thinking through geography. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 38 (2), 301-313.
  • shikawa, T. (2016). Spatial thinking in geographic information science: Students' geospatial conceptions, map-based reasoning, and spatial visualization ability. Annals of the American Association of Geographers, 106, 76–95.
  • Karageorgos, D. (2002).Methodology of research in sciences of Education.A didactic approach. Athens: Savvalas (In Greek).
  • Kastens, K. A., & Ishikawa, T. (2006). Spatial thinking in the geosciences and cognitive sciences: A cross-disciplinary look at the intersection of the two fields. Geological Society of America Special Papers, 413, 53-76.
  • Katsikis, A. (2001).Geography and geographical education: Reason of crisis-Regenerative intervention proposal. Geographies, 2, 15-29. (In Greek).
  • Kiritsis, D. (2008). The family as a factor in the school performance: empirical survey of 1.000 students in the third class. New Education, 128, 93-107. (In Greek).
  • Κiritsis, D. & Papadopoulou, S. (2011). «The effect of socioeconomic layer, profession and education level of parents in their involvement in educational and learning process of their children. Pedagogical Review, 51, 121-139. (In Greek)
  • Klonari Aik., & Karanikas, C. (2004). Comparison of the Geography lesson topics of June examinations of 7th Grade in 1999 and 2003. Proceedings 10th Panhellenic Conference of Science, E.E.F., Volume A, “Education and Teaching of Science”. Loutraki January 29-1 February 2004, 159-162. (In Greek).
  • Klonari Aik. (2002). The place of Geography in Primary Greek Education. Proceedings of the 6th Pan-Hellenic Geographical Conference, Thessaloniki, 3-6 October 2002, I, 529-540 (In Greek)
  • Klonari A. & Koutsopoulos, K. (2005). Primary and secondary educators’ attitudes on school geography. In K. Donert & P. Charzynski (Ed), Changing horizons in geography education, 151-155. Torun, Poland: Herodot Network.
  • Klonari, A., Dalaka, A., Petanidou, Th. (2011). How evident is the apparent? Students and teachers perception of the terraced landscape. International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 20 (1), 5-20.
  • Klonari, A. & Likouri, A. (2015). The relation of multiple intelligences and spatial perception with performance in geography education. GI-Forum- Journal for Geographic Information Science, 1, 359-362.
  • Kozhevnikov, M., Motes, M., & Hegarty, M. (2007). Spatial visualization in physics problem solving. Cognitive Science, 31, 549–579.
  • Kubiatko, M., Mrazkova, K. & Janko, T. (2012). Gender and Grade Level as factors influencing Perception Of Geography. RIGEO, 2 (3), 289-302.
  • Lambrinos, N. (1998). Geographic Education: A Challenge for the Greek reality of the 21st century. Modern Education, 104, 40-46. (In Greek).
  • Lee, J. & Bednarz, R. (2009). Effect of GIS Learning on Spatial Thinking. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 33 (2), 183-198.
  • Levine, S. C., Vasilyeva, M., Lourenco, S. F., Newcombe, N. S., & Huttenlocher, J. (2005). Socioeconomic status modifies the sex difference in spatial skill. Psychological science, 16 (11), 841-845.
  • Li, P., & Gleitman, L. (2002). Turning the tables: Language and spatial reasoning. Cognition, 83 (3), 265-294.
  • Liben, L. S. (2006). Education for spatial thinking. Handbook of child psychology. Wiley Online Library.
  • Liben, L. S., & Titus, S. J. (2012). The importance of spatial thinking for geoscience education: Insights from the crossroads of geoscience and cognitive science. Geological Society of America Special Papers, 486, 51-70.
  • Lohman, D. F. (1993). Effects of Practice and Training on the Acquisition and Transfer of Spatial Skills: Two Speed-Accuracy Studies. IOWA UNIVersity, Iowa City LINQUIST CENTER FOR MEASUREMENT.
  • Lord, T. R. (1990). Enhancing learning in the life sciences through spatial perception. Innovative Higher Education, 15 (1), 5-16.
  • Lubajacky, B., Duzi, P., Tercova, M. (1999). Some ways of acquiring space perception. International Conference of Engineering Education, Prague, 1-4.
  • Marran, N. (2003). Over the air programming and/or service activation. DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark office, No 6, 549, 770.
  • Meeker, M. (1991). How do arithmetics and maths differ? Gifted Child Today, 14, 6-7. Pellegrino, James W.; David L. Alderton and Valerie J. Shute, V. J. (1983). “Understanding Spatial Ability. Educational Psychologist, 19, 239-253.
  • Pribyl, J. R. & Bonder, G. M. (1987). Spatial ability and its role in organic chemistry: A study of four organic courses. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 24, 229-240.
  • Rafi A., K. Anuar, A. Samad, M. Hayati, M. Mahadzir (2005). Improving Spatial Ability Using a Web-Based Virtual Environment .Automation in Construction, 14 (6), 707-715.
  • Riala, K., Isohanni, I., Jokelainen, J., Jones, P.B., & Isohanni, M. (2003). The relationship between childhood family background and educational performance, with special reference to single-parent families: a longitudinal study. Social Psychology of Education, 6, 349-365.
  • Rilea, S. L., Roskos-Ewoldsen, B., & Boles, D. (2004). Sex differences in spatial ability: A lateralization of function approach. Brain and cognition, 56 (3), 332-343.
  • Rutherford, D. J. (2015). Reading the road map for 21st century geography education in the United States. Geography, 100 (1), 28-35.
  • Sakkas, B. (2002). Learning disabilities and family. Pedagogy and Socio-psychological approach. Athens: Atrapos (In Greek).
  • Sanli, C., Sezer, A. & Pinar, A. (2016). Perceptions of Geography Teachers to Integrating Technology to Teaching and their practices. RIGEO, 6 (3), 234-252.
  • Sarno, E. (2008). Spatial intelligence and geography. Geography Online, 8 (1), 1-10.
  • Sarno, E. (2012). Spatial Competences: The Results of Applied Geo-Research in Italian Schools. RIGEO, 2 (2), 165-180.
  • Schell, E. M., Roth, K. J., & Mohan, A. (Eds.). (2013). A road map for 21st century geography education: Instructional materials and professional development (A report from the Instructional Materials and Professional Development Committee of the Road Map for 21st Century Geography Education Project). Washington, DC: National Council for Geographic Education.
  • Uttal, D. H., Miller, D. I., & Newcombe, N. S. (2013). Exploring and enhancing spatial thinking links to achievement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics?. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 22 (5), 367-373.
  • West, A., & Pennell, H. (2003). Underachievement in schools. London: Routledge Falmer.
  • Wolfgang, H. C., Standard, L & Jones, I. (2003) .Advanced Constructional Play with legos among Preschoolers as a Predictor of later school achievement in mathematics. Early Child Development and Care, 173 (5), 467–475.
  • Wu, H. K., & Shah, P. (2004). Exploring visuospatial thinking in chemistry learning. Science education, 88 (3), 465-492.
  • Zafranas, N. (2004). Piano keyboard training and the spatial–temporal development of young children attending kindergarten classes in Greece. Early Child Development and Care, 174 (2), 199-211.
Year 2017, Volume: 7 Issue: 2, 154 - 170, 30.08.2017

Abstract

References

  • Allen, G. L. (Ed.). (2007). Applied spatial cognition: From research to cognitive technology. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
  • Apostolopoulou, E. & Klonari, A. (2011). Pupils’ representations of rivers on 2D and 3D maps. Procedia-Social and Behavioural Sciences, 19, 443-449.
  • Baker, T. R., Battersby, S., Bednarz, S. W., Bodzin, A. M., Kolvoord, B., Moore, S., Sinton, D. & Uttal, D. (2015). A research agenda for geospatial technologies and learning. Journal of Geography, 114 (3), 118-130.
  • Battista, M. T. (2007). The development of geometric and spatial thinking. Second handbook of research on mathematics teaching and learning, 2, 843-908.
  • Bednarz, S. W., & Bednarz, R. S. (1995). Preservice geography education. Journal of Geography, 94 (5), 482-486.
  • Bertoline, G. (1998). Visual Science: An Emerging Discipline. Journal for Geometry and Graphics, 2, 181-187.
  • Bishop, A. J. (1980). Spatial abilities and mathematics education – A review. In Critical issues in mathematics education, 71-81.Springer US.
  • Bloom, E., & Palmer-Moloney, L. J. (2004). Meeting the challenge: Integrating geographic technology into today's social studies classroom. Meridian: A Middle School Computer Technologies Journal, 7 (1), 1-5.
  • Condie, R., Munro, B., Seagraves, L. & Kenesson, S. (2007). The impact of ICT in schools-a landscape review. UK: Becta Research.
  • Doering, A., & Veletsianos, G. (2007). An investigation of the use of real-time, authentic geospatial data in the K-12 classroom. Journal of Geography, Special Issue on Using Geospatial Data in Geographic Education, 106 (6), 217 225.
  • Gallagher, S. (2001). The practice of mind. Theory, simulation or primary interaction?. Journal of Consciousness Studies, 8 (5-6), 83-108.
  • Geary, D. C., Saults, S. J., Liu, F., & Hoard, M. K. (2000). Sex differences in spatial cognition, computational fluency, and arithmetical reasoning. Journal of Experimental child psychology, 77 (4), 337-353.
  • Gersmehl, F. & Gersmehl, A. (2007). Spatial thinking by young children: Neurologic evidence for early development and “educability”. Journal of Geography, 106, 181-191. National Council for Geographic Education.
  • Gryl, I., & Jekel, T. (2012). Re-centring geoinformation in secondary education: toward a spatial citizenship approach. Cartographica: the international journal for geographic information and geovisualization, 47 (1), 18-28.
  • Gryl, I., Jekel, T., & Donert, K. (2010). GI and spatial citizenship. Learning with GI, V, 2-11.
  • Hyde, J. S., Geiringer, E. R., & Yen, W. M. (1975). On the empirical relation between spatial ability and sex differences in other aspects of cognitive performance. Multivariate Behavioral Research, 10 (3), 289-309.
  • Jones, C. M., Braithwaite, V. A., & Healy, S. D. (2003). The evolution of sex differences in spatial ability. Behavioral neuroscience, 117 (3), 403.
  • Injeong, J. & Bednarz,S. (2014) Developing pre-service teachers' pedagogical content knowledge for teaching spatial thinking through geography. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 38 (2), 301-313.
  • shikawa, T. (2016). Spatial thinking in geographic information science: Students' geospatial conceptions, map-based reasoning, and spatial visualization ability. Annals of the American Association of Geographers, 106, 76–95.
  • Karageorgos, D. (2002).Methodology of research in sciences of Education.A didactic approach. Athens: Savvalas (In Greek).
  • Kastens, K. A., & Ishikawa, T. (2006). Spatial thinking in the geosciences and cognitive sciences: A cross-disciplinary look at the intersection of the two fields. Geological Society of America Special Papers, 413, 53-76.
  • Katsikis, A. (2001).Geography and geographical education: Reason of crisis-Regenerative intervention proposal. Geographies, 2, 15-29. (In Greek).
  • Kiritsis, D. (2008). The family as a factor in the school performance: empirical survey of 1.000 students in the third class. New Education, 128, 93-107. (In Greek).
  • Κiritsis, D. & Papadopoulou, S. (2011). «The effect of socioeconomic layer, profession and education level of parents in their involvement in educational and learning process of their children. Pedagogical Review, 51, 121-139. (In Greek)
  • Klonari Aik., & Karanikas, C. (2004). Comparison of the Geography lesson topics of June examinations of 7th Grade in 1999 and 2003. Proceedings 10th Panhellenic Conference of Science, E.E.F., Volume A, “Education and Teaching of Science”. Loutraki January 29-1 February 2004, 159-162. (In Greek).
  • Klonari Aik. (2002). The place of Geography in Primary Greek Education. Proceedings of the 6th Pan-Hellenic Geographical Conference, Thessaloniki, 3-6 October 2002, I, 529-540 (In Greek)
  • Klonari A. & Koutsopoulos, K. (2005). Primary and secondary educators’ attitudes on school geography. In K. Donert & P. Charzynski (Ed), Changing horizons in geography education, 151-155. Torun, Poland: Herodot Network.
  • Klonari, A., Dalaka, A., Petanidou, Th. (2011). How evident is the apparent? Students and teachers perception of the terraced landscape. International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 20 (1), 5-20.
  • Klonari, A. & Likouri, A. (2015). The relation of multiple intelligences and spatial perception with performance in geography education. GI-Forum- Journal for Geographic Information Science, 1, 359-362.
  • Kozhevnikov, M., Motes, M., & Hegarty, M. (2007). Spatial visualization in physics problem solving. Cognitive Science, 31, 549–579.
  • Kubiatko, M., Mrazkova, K. & Janko, T. (2012). Gender and Grade Level as factors influencing Perception Of Geography. RIGEO, 2 (3), 289-302.
  • Lambrinos, N. (1998). Geographic Education: A Challenge for the Greek reality of the 21st century. Modern Education, 104, 40-46. (In Greek).
  • Lee, J. & Bednarz, R. (2009). Effect of GIS Learning on Spatial Thinking. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 33 (2), 183-198.
  • Levine, S. C., Vasilyeva, M., Lourenco, S. F., Newcombe, N. S., & Huttenlocher, J. (2005). Socioeconomic status modifies the sex difference in spatial skill. Psychological science, 16 (11), 841-845.
  • Li, P., & Gleitman, L. (2002). Turning the tables: Language and spatial reasoning. Cognition, 83 (3), 265-294.
  • Liben, L. S. (2006). Education for spatial thinking. Handbook of child psychology. Wiley Online Library.
  • Liben, L. S., & Titus, S. J. (2012). The importance of spatial thinking for geoscience education: Insights from the crossroads of geoscience and cognitive science. Geological Society of America Special Papers, 486, 51-70.
  • Lohman, D. F. (1993). Effects of Practice and Training on the Acquisition and Transfer of Spatial Skills: Two Speed-Accuracy Studies. IOWA UNIVersity, Iowa City LINQUIST CENTER FOR MEASUREMENT.
  • Lord, T. R. (1990). Enhancing learning in the life sciences through spatial perception. Innovative Higher Education, 15 (1), 5-16.
  • Lubajacky, B., Duzi, P., Tercova, M. (1999). Some ways of acquiring space perception. International Conference of Engineering Education, Prague, 1-4.
  • Marran, N. (2003). Over the air programming and/or service activation. DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark office, No 6, 549, 770.
  • Meeker, M. (1991). How do arithmetics and maths differ? Gifted Child Today, 14, 6-7. Pellegrino, James W.; David L. Alderton and Valerie J. Shute, V. J. (1983). “Understanding Spatial Ability. Educational Psychologist, 19, 239-253.
  • Pribyl, J. R. & Bonder, G. M. (1987). Spatial ability and its role in organic chemistry: A study of four organic courses. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 24, 229-240.
  • Rafi A., K. Anuar, A. Samad, M. Hayati, M. Mahadzir (2005). Improving Spatial Ability Using a Web-Based Virtual Environment .Automation in Construction, 14 (6), 707-715.
  • Riala, K., Isohanni, I., Jokelainen, J., Jones, P.B., & Isohanni, M. (2003). The relationship between childhood family background and educational performance, with special reference to single-parent families: a longitudinal study. Social Psychology of Education, 6, 349-365.
  • Rilea, S. L., Roskos-Ewoldsen, B., & Boles, D. (2004). Sex differences in spatial ability: A lateralization of function approach. Brain and cognition, 56 (3), 332-343.
  • Rutherford, D. J. (2015). Reading the road map for 21st century geography education in the United States. Geography, 100 (1), 28-35.
  • Sakkas, B. (2002). Learning disabilities and family. Pedagogy and Socio-psychological approach. Athens: Atrapos (In Greek).
  • Sanli, C., Sezer, A. & Pinar, A. (2016). Perceptions of Geography Teachers to Integrating Technology to Teaching and their practices. RIGEO, 6 (3), 234-252.
  • Sarno, E. (2008). Spatial intelligence and geography. Geography Online, 8 (1), 1-10.
  • Sarno, E. (2012). Spatial Competences: The Results of Applied Geo-Research in Italian Schools. RIGEO, 2 (2), 165-180.
  • Schell, E. M., Roth, K. J., & Mohan, A. (Eds.). (2013). A road map for 21st century geography education: Instructional materials and professional development (A report from the Instructional Materials and Professional Development Committee of the Road Map for 21st Century Geography Education Project). Washington, DC: National Council for Geographic Education.
  • Uttal, D. H., Miller, D. I., & Newcombe, N. S. (2013). Exploring and enhancing spatial thinking links to achievement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics?. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 22 (5), 367-373.
  • West, A., & Pennell, H. (2003). Underachievement in schools. London: Routledge Falmer.
  • Wolfgang, H. C., Standard, L & Jones, I. (2003) .Advanced Constructional Play with legos among Preschoolers as a Predictor of later school achievement in mathematics. Early Child Development and Care, 173 (5), 467–475.
  • Wu, H. K., & Shah, P. (2004). Exploring visuospatial thinking in chemistry learning. Science education, 88 (3), 465-492.
  • Zafranas, N. (2004). Piano keyboard training and the spatial–temporal development of young children attending kindergarten classes in Greece. Early Child Development and Care, 174 (2), 199-211.
There are 57 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Anna- Aikaterini Lıkourı This is me

Aikaterini Klonarı

George Flourıs This is me

Publication Date August 30, 2017
Submission Date April 27, 2017
Acceptance Date August 14, 2017
Published in Issue Year 2017 Volume: 7 Issue: 2

Cite

APA Lıkourı, A.-. A., Klonarı, A., & Flourıs, G. (2017). Relationship of Pupils’ Spatial Perception and Ability with Their Performance in Geography. Review of International Geographical Education Online, 7(2), 154-170.
AMA Lıkourı AA, Klonarı A, Flourıs G. Relationship of Pupils’ Spatial Perception and Ability with Their Performance in Geography. Review of International Geographical Education Online. August 2017;7(2):154-170.
Chicago Lıkourı, Anna- Aikaterini, Aikaterini Klonarı, and George Flourıs. “Relationship of Pupils’ Spatial Perception and Ability With Their Performance in Geography”. Review of International Geographical Education Online 7, no. 2 (August 2017): 154-70.
EndNote Lıkourı A-A, Klonarı A, Flourıs G (August 1, 2017) Relationship of Pupils’ Spatial Perception and Ability with Their Performance in Geography. Review of International Geographical Education Online 7 2 154–170.
IEEE A.-. A. Lıkourı, A. Klonarı, and G. Flourıs, “Relationship of Pupils’ Spatial Perception and Ability with Their Performance in Geography”, Review of International Geographical Education Online, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 154–170, 2017.
ISNAD Lıkourı, Anna- Aikaterini et al. “Relationship of Pupils’ Spatial Perception and Ability With Their Performance in Geography”. Review of International Geographical Education Online 7/2 (August 2017), 154-170.
JAMA Lıkourı A-A, Klonarı A, Flourıs G. Relationship of Pupils’ Spatial Perception and Ability with Their Performance in Geography. Review of International Geographical Education Online. 2017;7:154–170.
MLA Lıkourı, Anna- Aikaterini et al. “Relationship of Pupils’ Spatial Perception and Ability With Their Performance in Geography”. Review of International Geographical Education Online, vol. 7, no. 2, 2017, pp. 154-70.
Vancouver Lıkourı A-A, Klonarı A, Flourıs G. Relationship of Pupils’ Spatial Perception and Ability with Their Performance in Geography. Review of International Geographical Education Online. 2017;7(2):154-70.