Virtual globes as a platform for developing spatial literacy

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Geospatial Technologies

Virtual globes offer a solution to the traditional obstacles of time and money to implementing geospatial technologies in the classroom as a tool since they are free and intuitive interfaces. However, little research has investigated whether virtual globes are capable of teaching spatial thinking skills as traditional geospatial technologies have been shown to do. By comparing the work of 6th grade students using either paper maps or a virtual globe application to investigate the country of Ghana, this study seeks to quantify the differences in learning of spatial skills between each method. Specifically, this research looks at the differences in results, approaches, and how the students’ previous exposure to geospatial technologies affects each of these variables.