The Transition from the Analytic to Synthesis Reasoning in the Maps of Geographic School Atlases for Children - Maps for the Future Children Education and Internet - page 91

Generally, synthesis cartography worked by graphic methods, is explored along
with static situations. However, it is also possible to elaborate it in dynamical
approaches like in the case of the establishment of demographic evolution
“types” for a certain period of time with various census data.
To get to this synthesis it is mobilized a graphic treatment of the data, which
consists in elaborating an evolution graph in semi-logarithmic graph-paper for each
observation unit. After ready, these diagrams will be visually classified, approximating
those that are more similar, trying to form groups with similar evolutionary
characteristics. Each group will consist of a “type” that will be qualified on the legend
by a symbol and its respective epithet, expressed in a concise manner.
Each rubric of the legend, thus specified, will receive either an indicative colour
or texture to be plotted on the map that will express the synthesis.
A remark on this topic is extremely important for school atlases. It is insufficient
to use analytical and synthesis maps only to show the existence of these two kinds
of reasoning. A consistent presentation of the synthesis map is only valid when the
analytical maps, employed to accomplish the synthesis representation, are available
to the students.
7.5 Final Remarks
These methodological directions are considered imperative to sustain all and any
undertaking directed to the geographic school atlases idealization, when dealing
with analytic and synthesis maps. They will confirm to them, in consistently form,
their pedagogic role in geography, preparing the citizen for the practice of social
transformation.
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