Giant Maps as Pedagogical Tools for Teaching Geography and Mathematics

Abstract

Giant maps offer a potentially useful pedagogical tool for teaching mathematics and map skills. In this pilot study, giant maps were distributed to elementary schools in Colorado and New Hampshire and teachers were provided with guided activities designed to integrate mathematics and geography skills. In an assessment of student skills, it was found that there were improvements in map-use skills and that students improved in some skills more than others. Additionally, there were differences in gender; girls improved more in their scores for some skills and less than boys in others. The teaching benefits of giant maps merit additional investigation.

Key Words:

• Geography education
• instructional activities
• kinesthetic learning
• elementary map skills
• spatial literacy

Acknowledgments

This project would not have been possible without the willingness of the teachers who participated in the research in New Hampshire and Colorado, for which the team is grateful. We would also like to note that without the generosity of the National Geographic Society in providing each state with their own giant traveling map in the first place, the study would not have been possible.

Additional information

Funding

The financial support of the National Center for Research in Geography Education is appreciated as the grant enabled the researchers to pilot this study.

Notes on contributors

Peter Anthamatten

Peter Anthamatten is an associate professor at the Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences at the University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado, USA.

Lara M. P. Bryant

Lara M. P. Bryant is an associate professor at the Department of Geography at Keene State College, Keene, New Hampshire, USA.

Beverly J. Ferrucci

Beverly J. Ferrucci is a professor at the Department of Mathematics at Keene State College, Keene, New Hampshire, USA.

Steve Jennings

Steve Jennings is an associate professor at the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA.

Rebecca Theobald

Rebecca Theobald is an assistant research professor at the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA.