Visuospatial Cognition Afforded by Multimedia Representations in Geographic Information Systems Learning Materials on Energy Production

• In Event: E-Books and Multimedia in Supporting Student Learning

Abstract

This study explored how different information representations – a table, an interactive map, and a multilayer GIS map – influenced middle-schoolers’ learning in an authentic science learning context, and how gender mediated learning with these representations. None of the conditions significantly impacted development of verbal knowledge. The multilayer GIS map improved visuospatial learning for male students in the sample. Female students outperformed males on the visuospatial knowledge test in the table condition, which requires learners to remember data in the various cells of a table grid. These findings confirm prior research that revealed that females outperform males on tests of memory for object locations, whereas males tend to outperform females on other visuospatial tasks such as mental rotation.

Authors

• Zhen Xu, University of Florida

• Shalaunda Monet Reeves, University of Florida

• Pasha Antonenko, University of Florida

• Tredina Sheppard, University of Florida