Developing Visualization Tools for Geographic Literacy in a Museum Exhibit: An Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Abstract

As a result of reduced formal instruction and reduced direct experience in the natural environment, students suffer from a deficiency in geographic literacy. Informal learning environments, such as a model railroad exhibit at a history museum, can be exploited to introduce key geographic concepts (e.g., scalar compression, landscape transformations, and human-environment interaction). Presented here are historically and geographically accurate visualization tools developed via community collaboration across disciplines (geography/education) and institutions (university/museum/community volunteers). This article highlights geographic learning that takes place in informal education settings.

Key Words:

• geographic education
• maps
• transportation
• representation of place
• spatial knowledge

Acknowledgments

We wish to acknowledge the considerable contribution of accurate facts and precise editing by James Murrie, our coauthor for developing the Spotter's Guide (2007). In addition, the other members of the Puget Sound Model Railroad Engineers were generous with their tutorials and background information. Finally, Redmond Barnett, Curator of Exhibits, has been an unfailing supporter of the efforts to expand educational opportunities for the rich heritage displayed at the Washington State History Museum in Tacoma.