Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 8
Maps, Globes, Cognitive Space
and Geography Education in Japan
Kiyoshi Teramoto
Abstract
Maps play an important role in the formation of children's cognitive space.
Students can extend their knowledge of place names together with their intellectual
curiosity using skills of visual representation. Maps and globes represent various
scales, from local to global, and they contribute greatly to the formation of our basic
geographic world. However, the current geography curriculum in Japan provides
inadequate support for students learning about geographical principles and the world.
Keywords
Childrens' cognitive space Geography education Map learning
8.1
Introduction
Maps are tools that support geography education from a scholastic point of view,
or they can be considered the very content of geography education. To that extent,
maps hold the key to the development of geography education.
Generally, maps used in geography education are fl at. They impart information
with a high level of academic rigor, as represented by topographic and other types of
thematic maps. However, when we think about the state of geography education and
maps for individual children, it should be obvious that it is ineffective to teach geog-
raphy without addressing their cognitive space. For learners, understanding spatial
phenomena is simultaneously related to formation of their cognitive space. The role
of geography education is important in illustrating the practical and academic aspects of
geography. However, it must be recognized that geography education has a role in
developing spatial awareness in children, even before it cultivates their intellectual
learning. Human awareness of unfamiliar spaces is an indispensable part of living on
Earth; it contributes greatly to the formation of our world view, which affects how we
make decisions. In that sense, the convergence of maps, globes, and cognitive space
should be the window through which horizons of geography education expand.
The school education in Japan is an important part of a child's development.
Without exception, geography education primarily plays a role in Social Studies
