Effect of GIS-integrated Lessons on Spatial Thinking Abilities and Geographical Skills

GIS를 활용한 수업이 공간적 사고능력과 지리적 기능에 미치는 영향

  • Received : 2010.12.07
  • Accepted : 2010.12.24
  • Published : 2010.12.31

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of GIS-integrated lessons on spatial thinking abilities and geographical skills using discourse analysis along with a comparative three-case case study method. A series of curricula were designed and implemented in an 8th grade classroom for a semester. The data collected consist of the dialogue transcripts of six consecutive GIS-integrated lessons. The transcripts were analyzed to identify the moves (speech acts) used by each student and to classify discourse content of spatial thinking and geographical skills. Based on three individual case studies, a cross-case study was performed to uncover any relationship between the phenomenon and the contexts. The empirical evidence from discourse analysis demonstrated that students were able to generate appropriate terms representative of spatial thinking and geographical skills although students appeared to possess primarily lower-order spatial abilities, followed by a moderate-level of spatial abilities. Considering that the unit was implemented in a biology class rather than a geography class the result reflected the fact that the student's spatial thinking and geographical skills were attributable to the GIS-integrated lessons. Thus, the results have a great implication for GIS-integrated lessons and geography education as an innovative tool for improving student's spatial thinking and geographical skills.

본 연구는 GIS를 활용한 수업이 공간적 사고능력에 미치는 영향을 담화분석방법과 사례연구를 통해서 살펴보고자 한다. 분석에 사용된 자료는 6회에 걸친 GIS활용 수업에서 학생들이 주고 받는 대화를 녹취하여 수집하였다. 개별 학생들의 '발화가 수행하는 행위' (언어학의 화행론상의 행위, 담화분석의 최소단위)를 확인하고, 이를 다시 담화의 내용을 기준으로 공간적 사고 및 지리적 기능으로 분류하였다. 담화분석을 통한 실증적 연구 결과, 학생들은 주로 저차 공간적 사고능력을 지니고 있는 것으로 나타났고, 그 다음으로 중간 정도의 공간적 사고능력을 보였으며, GIS를 활용한 수업에 참여히는 동안 공간적 사고를 나타내는 적절한 용어를 생성하였다. 본 연구가 진행된 것이 지리수업이 아니라 환경과 관련한 생물 수업이었음을 감안한다면, 학생틀의 공간적 사고가 GIS를 활용한 수업의 결과임을 반영한다고 볼 수 있다. 이는 앞으로 학생들의 공간적 사고를 향상시키는 새로운 도구로서 GIS를 활용한 수업과 함의하는 바가 크다.

Keywords

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