Thinking with Maps
Understanding the World through Spatialization
Abstract
A 2022 Choice Reviews Outstanding Academic Title
Spatial reasoning, which promises connection across wide areas, is itself ironically often not connected to other areas of knowledge. Thinking with Maps: Understanding the World through Spatialization addresses this problem, developing its argument through historical analysis and cross-disciplinary examples involving maps. The idea of maps here includes traditional cartographic representations of physical environments, but more broadly encompasses the wide variety of ways that visualizations are used across all disciplines to enable understanding, to generate new knowledge, and to effect change.
The idea of thinking with maps is also used broadly. Maps become, not simply one among many items to learn about, but indispensable tools for thinking across every field of inquiry, in a way similar to that of textual and mathematical language. Effective use of maps becomes a way to make knowledge, much as writing or mathematical exploration not only displays ideas, but also creates them. The book shows that maps for thinking are not just a means to improve geographic knowledge, as valuable as that may be. Instead, they provide mechanisms for rejuvenating our engagement with the world, helping us to become more capable of facing our global challenges.
This book has a broader aim: It is fundamentally about general principles of how we learn and know. It calls for a renewed focus on democratic education in which both the means and ends are democratic. Education, just as the political realm, should follow Dewey’s dictum that “democratic ends need democratic methods for their realization.” Maps and mapping are invaluable in that endeavor.
Schlagworte
GIS GPS Cartography progressive education urban planning social science spacial reasoning spacial understanding spatial reasoning visual story-telling wayfinding teaching geography regional planning technology-enhanced learning geographic information systems geographic reasoning geographical features geography cross-disciplinary subjects curriculum development informal learning information science democratic education inquiry tools integrated curricula integrated learning ethical education- i–xxxii Preface i–xxxii
- 1–20 1 Way Finding 1–20
- 21–42 2 Constructing 21–42
- 43–66 3 Learning 43–66
- 67–80 4 Expressing 67–80
- 81–98 5 Solving 81–98
- 99–118 6 Connecting 99–118
- 119–132 7 Entering the Map 119–132
- 133–162 8 What Is a Map? 133–162
- 163–170 Conclusion 163–170
- 171–174 Index 171–174
- 175–176 About the Author 175–176