Spatial Thinking
Spatial thinking is fundamental in the geosciences. From visualizing atmospheric, ocean, or mantle circulation patterns to navigating unfamiliar landscapes to constructing a cross-section through deformed rocks, ...

Spatial Thinking Workbook
This project is developing and testing teaching materials to improve the spatial thinking skills of geoscience undergraduates, using strategies supported by cognitive science and geoscience education research.

The Hidden Earth: Visualization of Geologic Features and their Subsurface Geometry

Jessey David
This PDF from researchers at Arizona State University illustrates useful graphs, charts and maps with which to teach undergraduates petrology and other processes beneath the earth's surface.

The Hidden Earth: Visualization of Geologic Features and their Subsurface Geometry
Michael D. Piburn, Stephen J. Reynolds, Debra E. Leedy, Carla M. McAuliffe, James P. Burk, Julia K. Johnson
Describes development and testing of computer-based materials for improving understanding of topographic maps and block diagrams and the associated visualization skills. Paper presented at the annual ...

Software for Assisting High School Students in the Spatial Perception of Geological Structures
Yael Kali, N. Orion
This paper investigates students' spatial perception of three-dimensional geological structures. Software was developed to assist students in developing the spatial skills needed for such perception. ...

Development and Evaluation of Where are We?: Map-skills Software and Curriculum
Kim Kastens, D. Kaplan, K. Christie-Blick
Improvements in the instructional materials used in the prototype version of the Where are We program were accomplished through formative evaluation. These improvements include replacement of ...

An Interactive Multimedia Tool for Helping Students to Translate from Maps to Reality and Vice Versa
Kim Kastens, D. VanEsselstyn, R. McClintock
This article outlines the rationale and implementation of the early phases of the Where are We? map utilization program. This program uses multimedia technology to help students understand how 2-D ...

Scale and Detail in the Cognition of Geographic Information
D. R. Montello, R. G. Golledge

Cognitive Models of Dynamic Geographic Phenomena and their Representations
S. Hirtle, A. MacEachren

Multiple Modalities and Multiple Frames of Reference for Spatial Knowledge
S. M. Freundschuh, H. A. Taylor

Spatial Schemas in Depictions
Barbara Tversky
Depictions, such as maps, that portray visible things are ancient whereas graphics, such as charts and diagrams, that portray things that are inherently not visible, are relatively modern inventions. ...

Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of GIS-based Learning Materials in an Introductory Geoscience Course
Michelle Hall-Wallace, Carla M. McAuliffe
Classroom observations were used to implement course redesign so that students could complete activities with minimal instruction in GIS. Quantitative measures of student knowledge were determined ...

Relationship between Earth Science Education and Spatial Visualization
N. Orion, D. Ben-Chaim, Y. Kali

Spatial Abilities of High-School Students in the Perception of Geologic Structures
Y. Kali, N. Orion
Spatial abilities are required to study structural geology. The Geo3D software which the authors of the article have created allows high school students to perceive geological structures and envision ...

The Cambridge Handbook of Visuospatial Thinking
P. Shah, A. Miyake
This book presents a broad overview of research on visuospatial thinking that can be used by researchers and students in both basic research and applied/naturalistic contexts.

The Visual Display of Quantitative Information
E. R. Tufte
This book is a classic outline of how complex information can be presented through graphics, charts, and diagrams. Not only does the book show how to display numeric data graphically, it shows how to ...

Envisioning Information
E. R. Tufte
This book focuses on informational design, but is also useful in designing other print media. Tufte uses historical examples of successful and failed visual communication of data and outlines several ...

Visual Explanations
E. R. Tufte

Conceptual Change Through Building Three-dimensional Models
M. Barnett, T. Keating, S. Barab, K. Hay

Virtual Solar System Project: Building Understanding Through Model Building
S. A. Barab, K. E. Hay, M. Barnett, T. Keating
This article describes an astronomy course for undergraduates where students use 3-D modeling tools to model the solar system and, in the process, develop rich understanding of astronomical ...