Relationship of Pupils’ Spatial Perception and Ability with Their Performance in Geography

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between pupils’ spatial perception and abilities and their performance in geography. The sample was 600 6th-grade pupils from various areas of Greece selected by the cluster sampling method. The study results showed that: a) the vast majority of pupils showed low spatial ability; b) there was a deficit of geographical knowledge (according to the curriculum), with satisfactory performance only in plan views and orientation; c) the pupils who showed higher performance in geography course assessment test and in geographical abilities test have better spatial perception; d) the school type (pilot school using new technologies, and traditional school) did not seem to cause any difference to the pupils spatial perception; e) Pupils’ gender was not found to cause significant difference to spatial perception, or to their performance; f) parents’ education was found to correlate with the pupils’ performance in geography.