Researching Student Interaction with GIS Software While Learning Spatial Concepts
Toward a Standard Measure of GIS Interaction
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21348693 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Margo E Berendsen (0000-0003-2934-8855, Wyoming Geographic Information Science Center, University of Wyoming, corresponding author), Paddington Hodza (0000-0001-5012-3955, Wyoming Geographic Information Science Center, University of Wyoming), Jeffrey D Hamerlinck (0000-0002-7288-6029, Wyoming Geographic Information Science Center, University of Wyoming) |
| Year | 2023 |
| Volume | 122 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 81-92 |
| Publication date | 2023-07-04 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Geography (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0022-1341 • E-ISSN: 1752-6868 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/00221341.2023.2220328 |
| OpenAlex | W4382723604 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 3 |
| References cited | 35 |
A better understanding of differences in the nature of human computer interaction (HCI) relating to GIS software can help with learning spatial concepts and spatial thinking skills. This motivates our study, which aims to create a standard measure of interaction with GIS software that can be used individually or along with existing measurement instruments for spatial thinking to generalize results across studies for evaluating GIS interaction and usability. The study developed a composite taxonomy identifying types of user interactions and strategies with GIS in relation to different spatial concepts and processes of reasoning. The taxonomy was used as a framework to create tasks which users can complete with GIS software as a measure interaction with GIS. Study data were collected from 35 students enrolled in an online undergraduate course covering fundamentals of geographic information science and technology. Following three course assignments using GIS software to demonstrate a range of spatial concepts for problem solving, students completed various tasks constituting the standard measure of GIS interaction. The results indicate that the standard measure succeeds in measuring how individuals interact with GIS and strategize to complete different spatial tasks. The standard measure of GIS interaction will be useful for the development of usability guidelines for GIS and further contributes to research in the acquisition and application of spatial concepts and reasoning in learning environments
Cartography · Data mining · Data science · Geographic information system · Geography · Human–computer interaction · Measure (data warehouse) · Spatial analysis · Usability · Computer Science · Geographic Information Systems Studies · Geography Education and Pedagogy · Software · Spatial Cognition and Navigation
Spatial Thinking and STEM Education
Using Eye Tracking to Explore Differences between High and Low Map-Based Spatial Ability
Geovisual analytics and the science of interaction
Facilitating spatial thinking in world geography using Web-based GIS
Development of critical spatial thinking through GIS learning
The future role of GIS education in creating critical spatial thinkers
Considerations of How to Study Learning Processes when Students use GIS as an Instrument for Developing Spatial Thinking Skills
Geospatial Concept Understanding and Recognition in G6–College Students
| Citations per year | 3 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2025 - 2026 (2) |
| Highly cited | No |