Technology and Map-Learning: Users, Methods, and Symbols

Abstract

This article investigates the cognitive processes used by learners (adults and young adolescents) for tasks that require the integration of geographical information across spaces, hierarchies, and geographic scales. An experiment simulated basic GIS functions and contained four experimental conditions (Chunk, Layer, Scale, and Whole). Reaction time, accuracy, and confidence were recorded as dependent variables related to the success of the integration process. The data were used as input for a back-propagation neural-network model. The neural network model was successful in learning patterns and could be used to predict the confidence, reaction time, and accuracy for combinations of learners, experimental conditions, and map-feature categories. A multivariate analysis of variance was used to determine significant relationships among the behavioral variables and characteristics of the learners, experimental conditions related to GIS functions, and map features (points, lines, and areas). The results of the analysis generally indicated that young adolescent learners were slower, less accurate, and more confident than adult learners for all experimental conditions. Overall, subjects were more accurate and confident in tasks that required less integration of geographical information. Learners had the most success recalling information related to area symbols and the least success recalling information related to point symbols.

The use of GIS for the integration of traditional and scientific knowledge in supporting artisanal fisheries management in southern Brazil

“…Additionally, the representational and communicative components of current GISystems need to attend, according to Lloyd and Bunch (2003), not only to technological requirements, but also to users' demands and understanding.…”

“…Because the foremost purpose of a map is to represent realworld information as a set of abstract spatial features (Lloyd and Bunch, 2003), the identification of fishing areas based on traditional knowledge can provide unique local data and so avoid possible interpretational errors from the nautical charts. Such navigational charts are based on conventional information and symbols which do not usually accord with fishers' designations.…”

Expanding Display Size and Resolution for Viewing Geospatial Data: A User Study with Multiple-Monitor High-Resolution Displays

“…Specifying the parameters of one of these aspects restricts the available options for the other two. For example, once the physical size of a map is set, the cartographer must prioritize the importance of coverage area and scale, as an increase in one will result in a decrease in the other (Lloyd and Bunch 2003). Unfortunately, the desired specifications for all three variables are not always attainable.…”

Factors influencing acquisition of ecological and exposure information about hazards and risks from contaminated sites

“…Nonetheless, for many environmental reports, searching for specific pieces of information may be like looking for a needle in a haystack of important information (Monmonier 1996). To understand such reports, people are required to grasp information, some of which is highly uncertain, from verbal, written, tabular and graphical formats (Lloyd andBunch 2003, Zhang andGoodchild 2002).…”