Thinking Spatially

Teaching an Undervalued Practice Skill

Bibliographic Data

ID12780797
AuthorsSue Steiner (California State University, Chico, corresponding author), M Alex Wagaman (0000-0001-7727-2547, Virginia Commonwealth University), Pravina Lal (California State University, Chico)
Year2014
Volume34
Issue4
Pages427-442
Publication date2014-08-08
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Teaching in Social Work (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1540-7349 • E-ISSN: 0884-1233
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/08841233.2014.933755
OpenAlexW1982042389
LanguageEN
References cited28

Spatial thinking, which is taught and practiced in many of the social sciences, is a skill that is often overlooked in the social work curriculum. Spatial thought increases perception, logic, and organized cognition of goals and therefore holds promise for social work practice. Developing skills in spatial thought offers social workers additional tools for problem solving at all practice levels. Finally, thinking spatially raises awareness of problem-solving techniques in relation to environmental resources, a key aspect of systems theory. Fortunately, spatial thinking can be easily integrated into a variety of social work classes helping students master the skill and understand its importance. This article defines and describes spatial thinking, explores its fit in various areas of the social work curriculum, and discusses ways its use can be encouraged

Cognition · Critical thinking · Curriculum · Engineering ethics · Mathematics education · Pedagogy · Perception · Relation (database · Variety (cybernetics · Computer Science · Engineering · Health, psychology, and well-being · Homelessness and Social Issues · Psychology · Social Work Education and Practice · Social Work · Artificial Intelligence

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