Future Teachers' Spatial Thinking Skills and Attitudes. Issue 4 (3rd July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shin, Euikyung E.; Milson, Andrew J.; Smith, Thomas J.
• Is Part Of: Journal of geography. Volume 115:Issue 4(2016)
• Page Start: 139
• Page End: 146
• Publication Date: 2016-07-03
• Subjects: spatial thinking -- spatial attitude -- elementary education -- secondary education -- geography major; Geography -- Periodicals; Geography -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; 910.71
• DOI: 10.1080/00221341.2015.1100654
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1341

Abstract

Abstract : The spatial thinking skills and attitudes of geography majors were compared with those of future teachers majoring in elementary education and secondary social studies education. Scores were obtained for each group on two measures: the spatial skills test and the attitude toward spatial thinking inventory. Mean differences were examined based on five factors: major, gender, travel experience, geography courses, and experience using geographic information systems (GIS). For both outcome measures, results showed that the mean scores for elementary education majors were significantly lower than scores from secondary social studies majors and geography majors. Geography majors outperformed both groups of education majors on both measures. Implications for the preparation of geography teachers are discussed.