Map Orientation and Prior Knowledge in Learning Maps and Text.
Abstract
This investigation examined the effects of map orientation and prior knowledge on learning and remembering cartographic maps. The effects of three map orientations (upper left-lower right, upper right-lower left, and neutral) and two kinds of map features (common map places and common surnames) on feature recall and location were examined. A total of 60 high school students (49 male and 11 female) participated in the study. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of the six experimental conditions based on the order in which they arrived for the experiment. Each student wrote a description of the map while studying it for 20 minutes, and then had 10 minutes to recall and correctly locate the features on a blank outline of the map originally studied. The results indicated that there were no significant differences in feature recall (p = 0.85) or location (p = 0.62) due to map orientation. Students who studied maps with place names (e.g., waterfall) recalled and located significantly more features than those who studied maps with surnames (e.g., Smith) (p <.001).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA310093
Entities
People
- Donald J. Freeman
- Herbert H. Bell
- Rebecca B. Brooks
Organizations
- Armstrong Laboratory