ERIC Number: EJ1453640
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: EISSN-2331-186X
Cultivating Spatial Citizenship through Collaborative Mapping: An Empirical Study on Youth Engagement in Peripheral Urban Ecuador
Cogent Education, v11 n1 Article 2359337 2024
This study shows the potential of collaborative mapping as a pedagogical tool for cultivating spatial citizenship competencies among young students from peripheral urban spaces in Ecuador. Building on theories of spatial citizenship, the study postulates that an understanding and critical collaborative analysis of socio-spatial dynamics foster responsible spatial citizenship. Adopting an experimental approach, the study engaged 18 student groups in a 6-week collaborative mapping exercise, harnessing tools such as Google Maps, recyclable materials, chart paper, markers, and paint. Initial findings revealed a pronounced lack of spatial citizenship competencies and political apathy among students. Post-mapping, students exhibited an enhanced understanding of their community's spatial characteristics, notable locations, and potential improvements. Intriguingly, the activity sparked a renewed interest in political debates among the students and fostered a sense of ownership and responsibility towards their community. Additionally, it facilitated the identification of unregistered sites on Google Maps, thus developing their locational sense and exposing previously unseen urban dynamics. The study concludes that collaborative mapping can enhance students' spatial citizenship competencies, encouraging them to play a more active role in their community's development. The study's findings have far-reaching implications for pedagogical approaches in social sciences and information gathering for municipal planning and territorial transformations.
Descriptors: Spatial Ability, Adolescents, Geographic Concepts, Geography Instruction, Courses, Experiential Learning, Citizenship Education, Student Attitudes, Cooperative Learning, Concept Mapping, Learning Activities, Technology Uses in Education, Student Interests, Secondary School Students, Competence, Urban Areas, Learner Engagement, Student Responsibility, Ownership, Foreign Countries, Art Materials, Political Attitudes, Navigation, Debate
Cogent OA. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Ecuador
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A