There are several ways in which this effect of language could occur. Language may provide a conceptual framework used to interpret the map e.
However, in considering the effects of language, it is important to note that there was little effect on the non-trained items e. That is, specific instructional language does not focus attention on one type of information to the detriment of processing the other type, nor does it seem to enhance general map comprehension. Thus, facilitating topographic map comprehension probably requires explicitly communicating both elevation information and shape information, as we did in Experiment 1.
Our results add to our understanding of the complex role of gestures in processing spatial information Atit et al. Experiment 1 showed that not all kinds of gestures used by experts are helpful for novices. The pointing and tracing gestures that proved helpful may have worked similarly to basic code-cracking skills. Just as novice readers learn to associate sounds with visual symbols when the pairing between them is highlighted, in our study, using pointing and tracing gestures to highlight contour lines helped novice map users to associate contour lines with the elevation information they encode.
On the other hand, novices in the 3D Gestures and Models group had difficulty making an association when three-dimensional gestures were used to highlight contour lines on a map.
Why the three-dimensional gestures were less effective remains an open, but important, question because expert geologists commonly use three-dimensional gestures to highlight information associated with three-dimensional structures on geologic maps Atit et al.
It is possible that a three-dimensional gesture provides too much information, both form and location information, for novices to process and retain, while pointing and tracing gestures, which provided information only about contour lines, presented less information and may have been easier to process.
In other words, the alignment between a contour line and a value of elevation is highlighted in a point and trace gesture, whereas a three-dimensional gesture conveys multiple mappings simultaneously. An alternative and potentially interesting explanation is suggested by the finding of Experiment 2, that pointing and tracing gestures can support learning about three-dimensional shape when combined with a linguistic emphasis on shape. While the three-dimensional gestures and models were intended to encode three-dimensional spatial relations spatially, the gesture representation may have conveyed information that was too specific.
For example, students may have interpreted the information conveyed literally rather than symbolically e. In contrast, pointing to the topographical map pattern and emphasizing to novices the shape of the lines in language may have allowed understanding because the abstract spatial relations encoded in language may have provided novices with a strategy to interpret the contour lines spatially.
Understanding the interplay between gesture and language will be important for supporting learning in the classroom especially because field experts use both pointing and three-dimensional gestures in addition to speech when teaching complex spatial concepts. Overall, Experiment 2 showed that specific verbal instructions, at least when paired with helpful gestures, facilitated specific skills: interpreting the meaning of contour lines in terms of elevation, or thinking about the shape of the represented terrain.
Goldin-Meadow and colleagues have noted that a true understanding of the processing of information conveyed through both speech and gesture requires an understanding of the integration of both modalities e.
Here, we have shown that pointing and tracing gestures effectively highlight relevant and meaningful symbolic and spatial information, and that language can provide a framework for the kind of information that is learned. This finding suggests that, early in learning, gestures that guide attention to complex spatial information combined with conceptually focused speech are more helpful than gestures that refine spatial concepts.
In addition to topographic maps, there are a variety of diagrams that employ contour lines to represent continuous information both continuously and discontinuously e. An important future direction for research would be to examine how students learn to understand different kinds of isograms, and how experience with the diagrams in the form of speech and gestures influences learning.
Beyond topographic maps specifically, and isograms more generally, conceptually focused speech and highlighting gestures might be useful to teach disciplinary diagrams across the STEM disciplines. As contour lines are employed to represent a wide range of content, such as three-dimensional mathematical functions and chemical state-change boundaries, it is critical to understand how these educational tools can be applied to potentially increase the effectiveness and efficiency of diagram education.
Furthermore, focused conceptual information in the accompanying speech can help the learner understand how to use the pertinent information. Here, instead of altering the diagram, we employ two tools that are regularly used in everyday conversation and while solving complex spatial problems, speech and gestures, to help students understand topographic maps.
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Journal of Geoscience Education, 52 2 , — In the field of Cartography and Geography, there are many different kinds of maps; political maps, physical maps, Topographic maps, thematic maps and general reference maps, each catering to specific needs and uses. Before we can navigate our way around Topographic maps, we need to understand what exactly a topographic map is.
Topographic maps are generally large-scale maps that depict both the physical and man-made features of the landscape; and are distinctly characterized by the presence of contour lines that show the in-detail ground relief of the land. Many man-made features are found on topographic maps, these include roads, rivers, railroads, towns, mountains, elevation and vegetation types 1.
Knowing what features are generally found on Topographic maps is always handy but the real skill you want, is being able to understand what the map is showing you.
This is an invaluable skill that will allow you to adventure into the unknown with nothing more than a paper map and have the confidence to navigate your way through unknown terrain safely. The four main features on Topographic maps that you will need to master are:. As mentioned previously, contour lines are the defining feature of topographic maps - understanding them and how they function is the most crucial part of being able to successfully read a topographic map.
Contour lines allow you to visualize the 3D world on a 2D map and identify specific features of the landscape, such as valleys, ridges, slopes, mountains, hills and spurs. This is an essential skill needed when using topographic maps to navigate in the wilderness or areas that lack identifiable man-made features [2].
How contour lines show a pair of small hills [3]. A Contour line is a line on a map that joins points of equal height above sea level, allowing for an easy visual representation of the height of mountains, steepness of slopes and the general sense of the terrain. The shape of the contour lines is an important piece of information that allows you to identify features on the map such as peaks, ridges, passes or valleys.
They have a sequential number added to the number of the , map they occur in. This system is used for Series Topographic Maps by Australian government mapping agencies. However, the old saying of "always expect the unexpected" applies. Some agencies use systems which are based on the IMW grid, but they may be slightly different. Also, this regular grid system creates a number of maps which cover small amounts of land and large amounts of landless ocean.
Many mapping agencies 'move' the map boundaries to maximise the amount of land which is shown. Below are two indexes for mapping over north-western Australia. Note how the WAC charts have been adjusted to maximise the amount of land they cover.
As an Internationally agreed series with a standard specification and a regular map grid, the IMW was the 'first of its type in the world.
To suit its needs aircraft navigation the WAC series adjusted the existing IMW sheet boundaries to maximise the amount of land it contained. The interesting thing is that the WAC based its grid on the IMW grid, but on occasion it allowed for map boundaries to be slightly different, and in some cases individual maps overlap. Enter your Keywords.
Topographic Maps. Types of Maps — Topographic Maps Introduction Like General Reference Maps, Topographic Maps are a summary of the landscape and show important physical natural and man-made features in an area. Characteristics of topographic maps include: they show elevation using contour lines. Put simply, a contour line is a line which joins points of equal elevation above sea level they have an emphasis on showing human settlement roads, cities, buildings etc , but may include some thematic information such as vegetation or the boundaries of national parks they are typically produced by government agencies — these are often specialist mapping agencies and may have either a civilian or defence purpose they have well defined standards called Specifications which are strictly adhered to — these vary between mapping agencies and the scale of the map they have very good location reference systems — including latitude and longitude , but may also have grid lines often have additional information such as an arrow pointing to Magnetic North as well as True North.
Understanding Contours This extract from a , scale map has been annotated in pink to highlight different landscape features which can be identified using the contour lines. This map had a contour interval of 20 metres. A 'Potted' Geography of Australia using Topographic Maps Four maps have been selected across Australia to illustrate the vast range of information which can be contained in a topographic map. This map is centred on the Pilbara region mining town of Paraburdoo.
The area is lightly settled and poorly vegetated. Because of this, the features shown on the map are less obscured compared to other parts of Australia. In particular, the contour lines shown in brown are easily seen — where they are close together the slope is greatest.
Note the ranges lines of hills crossing this map. Here the contour lines are far apart indicating gently sloping land and, because there are no contours close together, it is clear that there are no ranges. A denser settlement than our first example is indicated by the larger number of roads and the buildings the black squares which are shown. This third map is in the wet tropical region around Darwin, Northern Territory. There are very few contour lines, indicating that the land is very flat.
Also, the much denser settlement is indicated by the large number of buildings and the large city area the area in pink — here the houses are too close together to be shown separately — in mapping jargon this is called a built-up area. A feature present here that has not been shown on the other two maps is vegetation. This doesn't mean that there is no vegetation on the other maps, rather they have simply opted to not show it or the vegetation is less dense.
Forested land is shown in light green and mangrove areas in dark green. Please note that this adds colour to the map, but can make the contour lines hard to see.
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