Document: BET-3-65-49

The classification of landscape patterns as interpreted by middle school students.

JOHNSTON MARSHALL, B.* ¹, V.E.BIRDIN ² and J.BUTLER ²

Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48825 USA ¹
Bellwood School District 88, Bellwood, IL 60104 USA ²

Abstract:
This study investigated the spatial development stages of middle school students requisite for their subsequent understanding of ecological landscapes. Middle school students were given photographic images representative of an ecological scale of 1000 km². These images were then interpreted and recreated by the students with the use of wooden cubes and balls ranging from cubes and balls ranging from 1/2 to 1-1/2 inches. From the students' interpretive representations, the models' footprints were converted to vector coordinates thus allowing the researchers to employ common graphing software (e.g. Microsoft Excel) to generate x,y scatter plots. The resulting plots were compared using Principle Component Analysis (PCA) and derivations of statistical methods typically associated with insect aggregation and dispersion, particularly, inferences from the mathematical distribution best fitting the sampling data. A classification scheme based on the organization, proximity and combination of landscape elements was created as a result of this analysis. Patterns were further ranked by the frequency with which they represented students' perceptions. From these results we identified a typical middle school student interpretation of the given landscape and generated learning activities designed to mitigate potential learning difficulties and developmental delays associated with visual-spatial abilities and comprehension of landscape ecology. By addressing these fundamental weaknesses early in the science curriculum, students showed increased understanding of ecological patterns and biological systems and were able to recognize and discuss relationships and connections in the context of the ecological landscape.

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This abstract is being presented at: 9:00 AM in session:
Oral Session #24: Ecological Learning Activities.