A Geospatial Thinking Multiyear Study

Carlos Carbonell-Carrera, Jose Luis Saorin and Stephany Hess-Medler
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Carlos Carbonell-Carrera: Area of Cartographic, Geodetic and Photogrammetry Engineering, Department of Techniques and Projects in Engineering and Architecture, Universidad de La Laguna, 38204 La Laguna, Spain
Jose Luis Saorin: Area of Engineering Graphics, Department of Techniques and Projects in Engineering and Architecture, Universidad de La Laguna, 38204 La Laguna, Spain
Stephany Hess-Medler: Department of Clinical Psychology, Universidad de La Laguna. Psychobiology and Methodology, Area of Methodology of Behavioral Sciences, 38204 La Laguna, Spain

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 11, 1-15

Abstract: In the field of environmental sustainability and landscape management, geospatial thinking is necessary. A good level of geospatial thinking is related to academic success in engineering degrees. It is relevant, therefore, to detect the possible deficiencies that university students may have in tasks related to geospatial thinking. This research presents the results of a 2014?2019 multiyear study with agricultural engineering students, in which seven geospatial tasks were analyzed. The statistical analysis shows that geospatial tasks related to slope, stream/water flow, visibility, and relief interpretation are the best at predicting the final course mark. The present research provides quantitative data on the efficiency that four technologies have to reinforce geospatial thinking focused on each task. Augmented Reality is an appropriate 3D technology for geospatial tasks related to route search, stream/water flow, and elevation points. SketchUp Make 2017 and Autodesk 123D Make showed their potential to solve tasks related to terrain slope and visibility analysis. Spatial Data Infrastructure has given the best results in geospatial tasks related to the photointerpretation of the relief and with topographic profiles of the terrain. Our findings will help teachers to select the most appropriate geospatial tasks to include in their courses.

Keywords: geospatial thinking; geospatial tasks; sustainability education; 3D technologies; spatial data infrastructure (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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