Spatial Concept Perspectives

We have gathered ~300 excerpts from published works about fundamental spatial concept terms. These have been cross-referenced with the concept lexicon appearing on the left. Those terms were drawn from the U.S.National Science Education Standards (NSES 1996) for topic areas B - Physical Science, C - Life Science, D - Earth and Space Science, as well as from the 1994 U.S. Geography Teaching Standards for grades 9-12. Those standards can be browsed here.

spatial concept terms

disciplinary perspectives on "network"

branching

Corners, corrugations, bends, and branches appear in biota and nonliving structures for structural support, or in response to a process such as flow. Branching in conduits will increase surface area for a given volume of fluid permitting faster transport across the surface, e.g. in capillary beds, lung tissue, root hairs, etc. Stream flow in watersheds follows tributaries; lightning usually branches; game trails fork.

Science Education

Mathewson, J. H. (2005)

The visual core of science: definition and applications to education

circuits

A special case of container (q.v.) in which a closed path permits flow through a labyrinth, network or web and return. Examples include the circulatory systems of organisms and electronic devices.

Science Education

Mathewson, J. H. (2005)

The visual core of science: definition and applications to education

network

If we combine the primitive location and the derivative connectivity, we develop a concept "network" (p. 41)

Geography

Golledge (1995)

Primitives of Spatial Knowledge

network

[Understanding]...requires location/node, line/link, and connectivity as precursors (p. 90)

Geography

Golledge, et al. (2008)

Matching geospatial concepts with geographic educational needs

network

Many geographic phenomena are limited to the nodes and links of linear networks, such as roads or rivers, and require specialized measures of distance, connectivity, and valency. "Networks constitute one-dimensional structures embedded in two or three dimensions. Discrete point objects may be distributed on the network, representing such phenomena as landmarks or bridges on road networks, or observation points on rivers. Discrete line objects may also be found, in the form of tunnels, stretches of highway with a constant number of lanes, or river reaches.

Geography

de Smith, et al. (2008)

Geospatial Analysis: A comprehensive guide to principles, techniques, and software tools

network

Understanding the importance of connections and flows. Representation of linear networks for transportation, communication, and interaction. Distinctions between planar and non-planar networks, circuits and trees, routes and paths, and networks as graphs and matrices.

Social Science

Janelle and Goodchild (2011)

Concepts, Principles, Tools, and Challenges in Spatially Integrated Social Science

network

Alternatively, [a] pattern can be seen as a network, which itself can have a form, a degree of connectedness, a scale, or a degree of specialization. Many of these characteristics can be precisely described in mathematical language of graph theory. A network description is clearly appropriate when describing flows and flow facilities, but it can also apply to other kinds of linkages: social, economic, or even visual ones (p 357).

Design (urban, architecture)
Architecture

Lynch (1984)

Good City Form

web

Webs are reticulated patterns made from cross-connected strands such as nets and spider webs, or more densely woven structures such as fabrics or natural structural elements in organisms. Webs are frequently important parts of circuits (q. v.) For example, exchange of energy and materials occurs in fine nets (rete) of capillaries in tissues such as the kidney. Networks are important in technology (e.g. communications and transportation) and in social organizations. More examples may be found on the world wide web.

Science Education

Mathewson, J. H. (2005)

The visual core of science: definition and applications to education