Effects of a GIS Course on Self-Assessment of Spatial Habits of Mind (SHOM)

This study identified five subdimensions of spatial habits of mindpattern recognition, spatial description, visualization, spatial concept use, and spatial tool useand created an inventory to measure them. In addition, the effects of GIS learning on spatial habits of mind were investigated. Pre- and post-tests were conducted at the beginning and end of a semester-long GIS course. The results suggest that the inventory is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring spatial habits of mind. Analysis of student responses revealed that completion of a GIS course enhanced their spatial habits of mind. It is believed that this research is relevant to a wide range of disciplines whose practitioners are interested in spatial literacy.