Introducing "Numbers Aren't Nasty: A workbook of spatial concepts" by David J. Unwin

Submitted by KarlG on 13 June 2011 - 5:23pm

David J. Unwin, Emeritus Professor in Geography at the University of London, has graciously allowed us to publish his recently completed workbook on the TeachSpatial portal, and allow visitors to download it in its entirety. Please visit the workbook page to learn more.

From the Introduction:

This little workbook provides a series of relatively simple, usually numerical or computer-based, exercises that together illustrate some of the basic spatial concepts whose mastery might be held to be a component of what has been termed spatial literacy. The exercises themselves have been drawn from experiences teaching geography at University level in a variety of institutions and have in most cases been tried and tested many times. A few are newly minted to fill some of the more obvious gaps in the coverage.

Comments

Numbers aren't nasty

Submitted by Adrian OConnor on 5 November 2011 - 9:21pm.

Hi Karl

I feel compelled to thank David J Unwin for making his workbook of spatial concepts available to spatial educators and researchers on TeachSpatial. For me the best part was Chapter 1 where David reviews spatial literacy research over the past 10 years. One of the things that struck me was that we still lack a consistent framework in which to place spatial concepts. He is not the first to recognise this of course but his schema which seeks to clarify the educational aims and objectives of spatial education is a step in the right direction. However, for me I am still stuck in trying to understand what spatial literacy is and how we become spatially literate. I understand what a spatial concept is but what does it mean and what does it take to become spatially literate? I think there is a tendency to skip over concepts that are deeply problematic: spatial literacy is a case in point.

I have since shared the link to David's workbook with others who think about troublesome issues.

Thanks

Adrian O'Connor
PhD Candidate (Spatial Education)
LaTrobe University
Australia

Numbers aren't nasty

Submitted by KarlG on 28 November 2011 - 2:49pm.

I've forwarded a link to your note to Prof Unwin, and your note motivates me to improve the comment publication and notification facility of the site.

I think 'literacy' is a measure, and so being spatially literate means being conversant with some set of spatial concepts and principles. I am not at all clear on what a complete set is, but could make a stab at a geographic subset. Some agreement on the existence of a spatial literacy (comparable to numeracy or other kinds of literacy) is only recently becoming possible as discussion expands. It will be advanced by coming up with that set of concepts and principles. The TeachSpatial site aims to encourage that to happen -- we'll see if it's a useful tool or forum.

I welcome your further thoughts on this, in a blog post perhaps?

Karl