Examines memory for room-sized spatial arrangement in relation to spatial and classification operations. Sixty first-grade children were given two Piagetian spatial tasks and a two-dimensional point duplication problem. Results of multiple regression showed that Euclidean knowledge (measured by verticality) and age in months predicted memory for…

Presents a checklist for evaluating commercially available mapping software. Analyzes software features by general categories including range of map types, availability and flexibility of data files, and program evaluation. Discusses ease of operation, the manual, tutorial, screens and help, error handling, design flexibility, hard copy output,…

Reported are research findings that (1) illustrate the importance of primary spatial orientation for children's and adults' use of symbolic spatial skills and (2) indicate the importance of the distinction between primary and secondary spatial orientation. At least two major ways exist in which humans gather and use spatial information. The…

There is little agreement about how the ability to read route maps initially emerges and about how it should be stimulated by early childhood educators. This study assessed the route map reading behavior of young children and the basic skills that might contribute to that behavior. In individual videotaped sessions, 120 four, five, and six year…

Although it has been suggested that women are less likely than men to use cardinality in dealing with environmental space, there has been no direct empirical assessment of this claim. If women are less likely than men to use cardinality, it is not clear whether women lack the competence to use a coordinate system of reference or simply prefer…

Experiment One demonstrated that all six- and seven-year-old subjects and many four- and five-year-old preschool children could learn layout of large playhouse of six adjoined rooms by memorizing map. When, in Experiment Two, preschoolers carried map of entire configuration with them around larger room, they performed perfectly or almost…

Reanalyzes data from a study in which 42 fifth graders received training in map-drawing skills. Explores the relationship between the mixture of reasoning levels and developmental change, and compares findings with those of an earlier study of social reasoning. (CB)

The project described in this paper was developed by the Census Bureau to train census enumerators. The approach called "geographic gameboard," consists of three components: (1) an imaginary, graphically depicted community (Abbotsville, Oklahoma); (2) a census map that corresponds to the census geography of Abbotsville; and (3) blank…

Discusses the importance of maps in geographical and environmental education. Reports on a study done with elementary school age children using aerial photographs. Indicates that children at age four can name some of the symbols on an aerial map, and by age six could recognize a majority of the symbols. (TW)

A framework for studying individual variation in tactile map reading is offered and a set of research guidelines suggested. It is argued that the reading process may be viewed as a many-leveled set of skills viewed from an information processing rather than a psychometric perspective. Individual variations are studied and classified. (Author/PB)

This volume contains 10 articles that concern research efforts undertaken in the field of geography education and training. Written by researchers from around the world, the articles include: (1) "Empirical Didactics of Geography: History of a Working Group" (H. Schrettenbrunner); (2) "The Development and Evaluation of a Geography Computer…

Environmental psychologists are interested in the cognitive processes involved in mental maps. Multidimensional scaling was used to examine the geographic placement of buildings and their perceived attributes by undergraduate and graduate students, and by faculty and staff of a university (N=30). Nine college buildings were selected. Subjects…

The ecological validity of three spatial ability tests was studied: The Embedded Figures Test, the Shepard/Metzler Mental Rotations Test, and the Differential Aptitude Spatial Relations subtest. The Building Memory Test was also examined in an attempt to replicate a previous study which supported its validity. These four tests were administered to…

The first paper in this volume, "Geomorphic Effects of Flood-Control Channel Works" (H. Rasid), examines the basic mechanisms of morphologic instabilities in man-made or modified channels in terms of their altered hydraulic characteristics and geomorphic responses to such induced changes. Two tables, two figures, and a 33-item…

Using a map for guiding travel requires: (1) skills in encoding information from a terrain and a map; (2) finding a match between the two; and (3) maintaining the match despite directional shifts from turns on a route. In order to test this analysis, 94 children between the ages of 4 and 6 used maps to locate the route to a goal through a network…