METHODOLOGY OF INVESTIGATION OF THE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE CARTOGRAPHIC ELEMENTS THAT COMPOSE THE MAPS
ISBN 978-85-88783-11-9
Authors
1Filetti, C.
1UNIVERSIDADE ESTADUAL DE MARINGÁ Email: claudiafiletti@yahoo.com.br
Abstract
This study’s goal is to propose a methodology to investigate and establish the understanding of the cartographic symbology that contributes to map reading and analysis: key/legend, title, scale , map projection, orientation and information about the map sources, accuracy and publication and compass rose with the cardinal points or directions. The methodology developed in this study concerns only the map elements: key/legend, title, scale, map projection and orientation, geographic coordinates and cardinal directions/the compass rose. The methodology was applied in 3 classes of year 6 students in Primary schools, (years 1 to 8), in Maringá, PR, Brazil; two of which were state schools and one a private education school/academy. It is based on an investigative questionnaire drawn up taking into account the academic answers given by the respondent’s about understanding the purpose of the elements investigated by the respondents and, after, by representing those elements, since it was taken into consideration that an individual may perceive the concept although he might not be able to express it in words. The results of the investigation allowed us to evaluate which elements of the maps analysed were better understood by the respondents. The use of academic answers combined with investigation through representation of the elements was of great relevance since it was found that, concerning elements such as the key/legend, title, map scale, projection and orientation, the academic answers displayed concepts of purpose while in the investigation by means of representation, there were raised doubts related to the establishment of a reasoning regarding purpose or use. So, the methodology developed and applied has proved to be a valuable tool in the diagnosis of the learning process related with the subject cartography, contributing to the development of pedagogic strategies tailored to meet the specific needs of the respondents that took part in the research study. In this case, for instance, after the diagnosis, we worked on a pedagogic proposal in which students were able to experience, hands on, the process of collecting data and information in order to build a thematic map and understand de purpose of such elements in a coordinate process in which none of the elements can be with drawn since each has a specific and proper function to facilitate a productive map reading.
Keywords
Cartography; Methodology of Investigation; Map Reading