|  ISSN: 2757-6116

Original article | Journal of Innovative Research in Teacher Education 2024, Vol. 5(3) 169-185

The spatial thinking abilities and synchronic thinking skills of undergraduates in history, geography, and social studies education

Pelin Iskender Kılıç & Nevin Özdemir

pp. 169 - 185   |  Manu. Number: MANU-2410-24-0004.R3

Published online: December 22, 2024  |   Number of Views: 1  |  Number of Download: 5


Abstract

The study aimed to examine the spatial thinking abilities and synchronic thinking skills of undergraduate history, geography, and social studies education students in the context of specialization field, grade level, and gender variables. This study is a quantitative case study in the general screening model. The study population consisted of students from the geography and history departments of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and the social studies education department of the Faculty of Education at a university in Türkiye. The study sample, conducted in the general screening model, consisted of 269 undergraduates. The first part of the questionnaire form used as the data collection tool in the study included questions about the participants' demographic information. The second part included the Turkish version of the 16-item Spatial Thinking Ability Test (STAT), and the third part of the questionnaire form included the 18-item Synchronic Thinking Skills Test (STST). The total scores obtained from the scales were used to interpret the data. It was determined that there was no statistically significant difference in the MDBT scores according to the field of study variable. In contrast, the SDBT scores showed an essential difference between the groups according to the field of study variable. It was understood that there was a significant difference in the MDBT scores between the groups according to the gender variable. Still, there was no significant difference in the SDBT scores between the groups.

Keywords: Spatial thinking ability, Synchronic Thinking Skill, history, geography, social studies, undergraduates


How to Cite this Article?

APA 6th edition
Kilic, P.I. & Ozdemir, N. (2024). The spatial thinking abilities and synchronic thinking skills of undergraduates in history, geography, and social studies education . Journal of Innovative Research in Teacher Education, 5(3), 169-185.

Harvard
Kilic, P. and Ozdemir, N. (2024). The spatial thinking abilities and synchronic thinking skills of undergraduates in history, geography, and social studies education . Journal of Innovative Research in Teacher Education, 5(3), pp. 169-185.

Chicago 16th edition
Kilic, Pelin Iskender and Nevin Ozdemir (2024). "The spatial thinking abilities and synchronic thinking skills of undergraduates in history, geography, and social studies education ". Journal of Innovative Research in Teacher Education 5 (3):169-185.

References

    Ablak, S., & Aksoy, B. (2018). Sosyal bilgiler öğretim programında yer alan mekânı algılama becerisine ilişkin öğrenci algılarının incelenmesi [Investigation of student perceptions related to spatial perception skills in social studies program]. Turkish Studies, 13(1), 1-32.

    Ablak, S., & Aksoy, B. (2021). Sosyal bilgiler dersi öğretim programında yer alan zaman ve kronolojiyi algılama becerisine ilişkin öğrenci algılarının incelenmesi [Examining students’ perceptions about the skill of perceiving time and chronology in the social studies curriculum]. Kalem Eğitim ve İnsan Bilimleri Dergisi11(1), 41-73.

    Akarsu, B. (1963). Kant'ta mekan ve zaman kavramları [Concepts of space and time in Kant]. İstanbul Üniversitesi Felsefe Arkivi Dergisi(14), 108-122.

    Akbaba, B., Keçe, M., & Erdem, M. (2012). Sosyal bilgiler dersinde çoklu ortam kullanımının öğrencilerin zaman kronoloji ve değişim sürekliliği algılama becerilerine etkisi [Effect of using multi-media to students’ time-chronology skills and perception skills of students’ change-continuity]. Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 14(2), 237-257.

    Ata, B. (2008). 1943'teki İkinci Milli Eğitim Şurasının tarih eğitimi kararlarından birinin uygulanması: Bir histomap'in yapım öyküsü [Implementation of one of the decisions of the Second National Education Council in 1943 on history education: The story of the making of a histomap].  Kuram ve Uygulamada Eğitim Bilimleri, 8(2), 335-353.

    Ata, B. (2009). Johann Friedrich Herbart’ın tarih eğitimi üzerine görüşleri [Opinions of Johann Friedrich Herbart about history education]. Gazi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 29, 1377-1395.

    Aydoğan, O. (2020). Eğitsel bilgisayar oyun destekli tarih öğretiminin öğrencilerin kronolojik düşünme ve mekânı algılama becerilerine etkisi [The effect of history teaching supported by educational computer games on students' chronological thinking and space perception skills], (Unpublished doctoral thesis). Gazi University, Retrieved from https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/ Access Date: 24/09/2024

    Bayramoğlu, A. Ç. (2016). Sosyal bilgiler programında yer alan tarih konularının tarihsel düşünme becerileri açısından değerlendirilmesi [Evaluation of the subject historical thinking of the social studies curriculum]. (Unpublished master thesis). Adnan Menderes University, Retrieved from https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/ Access Date: 27/09/2024

    Bednarz, R. S., & Lee, J. (2011). The components of spatial thinking: empirical evidence. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 21, 103-107.

    Bircan, T. Ş. (2015). Teknoloji destekli tarih öğretiminin öğrencilerin mekân algılarına ve akademik başarılarına etkisi [The effect of teaching history of the based technology to the students' academic achievement and perception of space]. Hacettepe Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 3(13), 564-577.

    Bircan, T. Ş., & Safran, M. (2013). Tarih öğretiminde haritaların önemi ve kullanımı [The usage and the importance of maps in teaching history].  Ahi Evran Üniversitesi Kırşehir Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 14(2), 461-476.

    Boehm, R. G., Saxe, D. W., & Rutherford, D. J. (2003). The best of both worlds: Blending history and geography in the k-12 curriculum. Washington, DC.: Thomas B. Fordham Foundation.

    Charcharos, C., Kokla, M., & Tomai, E. (2015). Assessing spatial thinking ability in geospatial thinking: Educating the future spatial citizens. Paper presented at the GEOTHNK International Closing Conference, Pallini, Greece.

    Charcharos, C., Kokla, M., & Tomai, E. (2016). Linking spatial thinking and problem-solving skills of young children. Paper presented at the Inspiring Science Education, Pallini: Greece.

    Çalık, S. (2022). Öğretmen ve öğretmen adaylarına göre mekânsal düşünme becerisi öğretimi: Eğilimler ve “kültür ve miras” öğrenme alanına uygulanabilirlik [Teaching of spatial thinking skill of teachers and prospective teachers: Trends and applicability to the learning field "Culture and heritage"]. (Unpublished master thesis). Trabzon University, Retrieved from https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/ Access Date: 08/10/2024.

    Demiralp, N. (2006). Coğrafya eğitiminde harita ve küre kullanım becerileri [Map and globe usage skills in geography education]. Türk Eğitim Bilimleri Dergisi, 4(3), 323-343.

    Demircioğlu, İ. H., & Akengin, H. (2012). Zamana ve mekâna ilişkin becerilerin öğretimi [Teaching skills related to time and space]. In C. Öztürk (Ed.), Sosyal bilgiler öğretimi demokratik vatandaşlık eğitimi [Teaching skills related to time and space] (pp. 187-224). Ankara: Pegem Akademi Yayınları.

    Dilek, D. (2002). Tarih derslerinde öğrenme ve düşünce gelişimi [Learning and thought development in history classes]. Ankara: Pegem.

    Dinç, A. (2013). Türkiye’de tarih yazımında coğrafyanın önemi [The importance of geography in historiography in Türkiye]. In V. Engin & A. Şimşek (Eds.), Türkiye’de tarih yazımı [History writing in Türkiye] (pp. 541-553). İstanbul: Yeditepe Yayınevi.

    Dönmez, C., & Oruç, Ş. (2006). II. Meşrutiyet dönemi tarih öğretimi [History teaching in the II. constitutional monarchy period]. Ankara: Gazi Kitabevi.

    Erdoğdu, A. T. (2021). Karşılaştırmalı tarih yöntemi ve eleştirisi [Comparative history method and its criticism]. İnsan ve Toplum, 11(4), 157-199.

    Gençtürk, E. (2009). İlköğretim sosyal bilgiler öğretmen adaylarının coğrafya okuryazarlık düzeylerinin belirlenmesi [Investigation of preservice elementary social studies teachers? geography literacy levels], (Unpublished doctoral thesis). Gazi University, Retrieved from https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/ Access Date: 11/10/2024.

    Gersmehl, P. J., & Gersmehl, C. A. (2007). Spatial thinking by young children: Neurologic evidence for early development and educability. Journal of Geography, 106(5), 181-191.

    Gilmartin, P. P., & Patton, J. C. (1984). Comparing the sexes on spatial abilities: Map-use skills, Annals of the Association of American Geographers, 74(4), 605–619.

    Golledge, R. G., Marsh, M., & Battersby, S. (2008). Matching geospatial concepts with geographic educational needs. Geographical Research, 46(1), 85–98.

    Gönülaçar, H. (2019). Ortaokul öğrencilerinde mekânsal düşünme becerilerinin gelişimi: Bir durum çalışması [Development of spatial thinking skills in secondary school students: A case study]. (Unpublished master thesis). Erciyes Üniversity, Retrieved from https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/

    Gönülaçar, H., & Öztürk, M. (2020). Ortaokul öğrencilerinin mekânsal düşünme becerileri [Spatial thinking skills of secondary school students]. Milli Eğitim Dergisi, 49(227), 217-243.

    Green, L., & Green, D. (2003). From chronological to spatio‐temporal histories: mapping heritage in arukwa, área indígena do uaçá, Brazil. History and Anthropology, 14(3), 283-295.

    Harms, J. M., & Lettow, L. J. (2007). Nurturing children's concepts of time and chronology through literature. Childhood Education, 83(4), 211–218.

    Hroch, M. (2011). Avrupa’da milli uyanış: Toplumsal koşulların ve toplulukların karşılaştırmalı analizi [National awakening in Europe: A comparative analysis of social conditions and communities] (A. Özdemir, Trans.). İstanbul: İletişim Yayınları.

    Ishikawa, T. (2021). Spatial thinking, cognitive mapping, and spatial awareness. Cognitive Processing, 22(1), 89–96.

    Işık, H. (2014). İlköğretim 6. sınıf ve ortaöğretim 9. sınıf öğrencilerinin mekânsal biliş ve kronoloji bilgilerinin karşılaştırılması [Comparison of spatial cognition and chronology knowledge of the students of grade 6 in primary education and grade 9 in secondary education]. The Journal of International Social Research, 7(30), 111–121.

    Jo, I., Bednarz, S., & Metoyer, S. (2010). Selecting and designing questions to facilitate spatial thinking. The Geography Teacher, 7(2), 49-55.

    Jo, I., & Bednarz, S. W. (2014). Dispositions toward teaching spatial thinking through geography: Conceptualization and an exemplar assessment. Journal of Geography, 113(5), 198-207.

    Karasar, N. (2006). Bilimsel araştırma yöntemi [Scientific research method]. Ankara: Nobel Yayın Dağıtım.

    Kızıl, Ö. (2021). Kronolojik ve mekânsal düşünme becerileri bağlamında TC inkılap tarihi ve Atatürkçülük dersi konularının senkronik yaklaşımla öğretimi [Teaching the subjects of the class of the history of revolution of Republic of Türkiye and Kemalism with a synchronic approach in the context of chronological and spatial thinking skills]. (Unpublished doctoral thesis). Gazi Üniversitesi, Retrieved from https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/

    Kızıl, Ö., & Dönmez, C. (2020). Tarih konularının öğretiminde senkronik yaklaşım modeli ve ölçekli senkronik tarih şeritleri [Synchronic approach model and scaled synchronic history strips in teaching history subjects], International Journal of New Approaches in Social Studies, 4(2), 285-308.

    Kim, M. (2011). Effects of a GIS course on three components of spatial literacy. (Unpublished doctorate thesis). Texas A&M University, Retrieved from https://oaktrust.library.tamu.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/841600df-d352-4bf5-8bb3-00039c4e8422/content

    Korkmaz, H. İ., & Tekin, B. (2020). Investigating preschool teacher candidates’ spatial thinking skills. Journal of Theoretical Educational Science, 13(1), 191-204.

    Köşker, N. (2012). Sınıf öğretmeni adaylarının mekânsal biliş yeterliliklerine ilişkin düşünceleri [Thoughts of classroom teacher candidates regarding their spatial cognition competencies]. Journal of World of Turks, 4(3), 161–173.

    Lee, J., & Bednarz, R. S. (2005). Video analysis of map-drawing strategies. Journal of Geography, 104(5), 211-221. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221340508978986

    Lee, J., & Bednarz, R. (2009). Effect of GIS learning on spatial thinking. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 33(2), 183-198.

    Ministry of National Education [MoNE]. (2005). İlköğretim sosyal bilgiler dersi 4, 5, 6 ve 7. sınıflar öğretim programı. [Primary school social studies course 4, 5, 6 and 7th grade curriculum]. Ankara: Milli Eğitim Bakanlığı.

    Ministry of National Education [MoNE]. (2018). Sosyal bilgiler dersi öğretim programı (İlkokul ve ortaokul 4, 5, 6 ve 7. Sınıflar) [Social studies course curriculum (Primary and secondary school 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th grades)]. Retrieved from https://mufredat.meb.gov.tr/

    Ministry of National Education [MoNE]. (2024). Sosyal bilgiler dersi öğretim programı (4, 5, 6 ve 7. sınıflar) Türkiye yüzyılı maarif modeli [Social studies course curriculum (4th, 5th, 6th and 7th grades) Türkiye century education model]. Retrieved from https://tymm.meb.gov.tr/ogretim-programlari/sosyal-bilgiler-dersi

    Merç, A. (2017). Sosyal bilgiler dersinde mekân algılama becerisinin kazandırılmasında Google Earth uygulamasının etkililiği [The effectiveness of Google Earth application in teaching spatial perception skills in social studies course]. (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Anadolu Üniversitesi, Retrieved from https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi

    Mulyadi, A., & Yani, A. (2021). Gender perspective: the spatial thinking of secondary education students. Paper presented at the IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, Vancouver, Canada.

    Newcombe, N. S., & Stieff, M. (2012). Six myths about spatial thinking. International Journal of Science Education, 34(6), 955-971.

    NRC. (2006). Learning to think spatially. Washington DC: National Academies Press.

    Öktem, Ü. (2000). Descartes, Kant, Bergson ve Husserl'de sezgi [Intuition in Descartes, Kant, Bergson and Husserl]. Ankara Üniversitesi Dil ve Tarih-Coğrafya Fakültesi Dergisi, 40(1), 159-188.

    Özen, R., & Sağlam, H. İ. (2010). İlköğretim öğrencilerinin değişim ve sürekliliği algılayışları [Perception of primary studens on change and continuity]. Akademik Bakış Dergisi, 22, 1-15.

    Öztürk, M. (2010). Mekânı algılama becerisi [Ability to perceive space]. In M. Safran (Ed.), Tarih nasıl öğretilir? Tarih öğretmenleri için özel öğretim yöntemleri [The ability to perceive space. In M. Safran (Ed.), How to teach history? Special teaching methods for history teachers], (pp. 83–94). Istanbul: Yeni İnsan.

    Paykoç, F. (1991). Tarih öğretimi [Teaching history], Eskişehir: Anadolu Üniversitesi Açıköğretim Yay.

    Pollard, A. F. (1940). Chronology, synchronology, and history. History, 25(99), 193-207.

    Safi, H. (2010). Sosyal bilgiler öğretim programında yer alan mekânı algılama becerisinin geliştirilmesi hakkında öğretmen görüşleri [Teachers' opinions about the spatial cognition skills]. (Unpublished doctoral thesis). Marmara University, Retrieved from https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/ Access Date: 06/09/2024.

    Safran, M. (2002). Türk tarihi öğretimi ve meseleleri [Teaching Turkish history and its issue]. Türkler Ansiklopedisi, 17, 1661-1673.

    Safran, M., & Şimşek, A. (2009). Tarih yazımında bir sorun: Tarih ve zaman ilişkisi [A problem in historiography: Relation of history and time] Tarihin Peşinde., 1, 9-26.

    Serinci, H. (2022). Ortaöğretim 9. ve 12. sınıf öğrencilerinin mekânsal düşünme becerilerinin incelenmesi: Çorum ili örneği [Investigation of spatial thinking skills of 9th and 12th grade secondary school students: Example of Çorum province]. (Unpublished master thesis). Ondokuz Mayıs Üniversity, Retrieved from https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/

    Serinci, H., & Özdemir, N. (2022). Orta öğretim öğrencilerinin mekânsal düşünme becerilerinin incelenmesi [Examining spatial thinking skills of secondary school students]. Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli Üniversitesi SBE Dergisi, 12(3), 1448-1468.

    Sofias, T. A., & Pierrakeas, C. J. (2021). Effectiveness of a WebGIS-based project on high school students' spatial thinking skills. Paper presented at the Proceedings of The First Workshop on Technology Enhanced Learning Environments for Blended Education, Foggia, Italy.

    Sorby, S., Veurink, N., & Streiner, S. (2018). Does spatial skills instruction improve STEM outcomes? The answer is ‘yes’. Learning and Individual Differences, 67, 209–222.

    Sönmez, F., & Akbaş, Y. (2019). Coğrafi bilgi sistemlerine (CBS) dayalı sosyal bilgiler öğretiminin 6. sınıf öğrencilerinin mekânsal düşünme becerilerine etkisi [The effect of social studies teaching based on geographic information systems (GIS) on spatial thinking skills of 6th grade students]. International Journal of Geography and Geography Education, 40, 40-58.

    Sönmez, Ö. F. (2010). İlköğretim sosyal bilgiler öğretiminde harita becerileri [Map skills in primary school social studies education]. (Unpublished doctoral thesis). Gazi University, Retrieved from https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/ Access Date: 11/09/2024.

    Şanlı, C. (2019). Coğrafya öğretmen adaylarının mekânsal düşünme becerisine ilişkin görüşleri. [Geography preservice teachers’ views on spatial thinking skill]. Journal of Anatolian Cultural Research (JANCR), 3(3), 215–233.

    Şanlı, C., & Jo, I. (2020). Examining preservıce geography teachers’ dispositions to teach spatial thinking skills. International Journal of Eurasian Education and Culture, 11(5), 2069-2102.

    Şanlı, C., & Sezer, A. (2019). Coğrafya derslerinde mekânsal düşünme öğretimi ölçeği: Türkçe’ye uyarlama geçerlik ve güvenirlik çalışması [Teaching spatial thinking through geography disposition inventory: a validity and reliability study on its Turkish adaptation]. Ege Coğrafya Dergisi, 28(2), 213-225.

    Şimşek, A. (2006). İlköğretim öğrencilerinde tarihsel zaman kavramının gelişimi ve öğretimi [Development and teaching of the concept of historical time in primary school students]. (Unpublished doctoral thesis). Gazi University, Retrieved from https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/ Access Date: 18/09/2024.

    Taş, H. İ. (2006). Coğrafya eğitiminde görselleştirmenin önem: Mekânsal algılamaya pedagojik bir bakış. [the importance of visualizations in geographic education: an educational approach to spatial context], Doğu Coğrafya Dergisi, 11(16), 211–238.

    Taş, H. İ. (2008). Coğrafi beceriler ve bunları öğrencilere kazandırma yolları [How to teach geography skills to students?]. Doğu Coğrafya Dergisi, 13(20), 45-58.

    Tümertekin, E., & Özgüç, N. (2017). Beşeri coğrafya: İnsan, kültür, mekân [Human geography: People, culture, space]. İstanbul: Çantay Kitabevi.

    Tütüncü, G., & Ünal, N. (2019). Karşılaştırmalı tarih: Doğuşu, gelişimi, metodolojisi ve Türkiye’deki durumu [Comparative history: beginning, development, methodology and the situation in Türkiye]. Al Farabi International Journal of Social Sciences, 3(4), 79-93.

    Uttal, D. H., & Cohen, C. A. (2012). Spatial thinking and STEM education: When, why, and how? In Psychology of learning and motivation (Vol. 57, pp. 147-181): Elsevier.

    Wilschut, A. (2012). Images of time. The role of a historical consciousness of time in learning history. Charlotte: N.C. Information Age Publisher.

    Xie, S., Zeng, S., Liu, L., Wei, H., Xu, Y., & Lu, X. (2022). Predicting geospatial thinking ability for secondary school students based on the decision tree algorithm in Mainland China. Education & Science/Egitim ve Bilim47(210), 121-137.

    Yayla, O. (2019). Sosyal bilgiler eğitiminde mekânsal teknolojilere dayalı öğretim uygulamalarının öğrencilerin mekânsal düşünme becerilerine ve akademik başarılarına etkisi [The effect of spatial thinking skills and academic achievements of teaching applications based on spatial technologies in social studies education]. (Unpublished master thesis). Trabzon Üniversitesi Retrieved from https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/

    Yelkenci, Ö. F. (2022). Kuantum kuramından tarih öğretimine: tarihsel zaman algısı [From theory of quantum to teaching of history: A historical perspective on time]. Cihannüma Sosyal Bilimler Akademi Dergisi, 1(1), 79-104.

    Yiğit, T. & Karatekin, K. (2021). The Effect of orienteering applications on students' spatial thinking skills in social studies: The case of Türkiye. Review of International Geographical Education Online, 11(1), 75-99. https://doi.org/10.33403/rigeo.839193

    Zwartjes, L. (2012). Creating a learning line on spatial thinking in education. In R. De Miguel, M. L. De Lázaro, & M. J. Marrón (Eds.), La educación geográfica digital (pp. 675-690). Zaragoza: Grupo de Didáctica de la Geografía de la Asociación de Geógrafos Españoles y Universidad de Zaragoza.