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From Drawings to Maps: Links between Drawing Categories and Spatial Error in Students' Mental Maps of the Desert Biome

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Title: From Drawings to Maps: Links between Drawing Categories and Spatial Error in Students' Mental Maps of the Desert Biome
Language: English
Authors: Petr Trahorsch (ORCID 0000-0002-7766-3860), Jan D. Bláha (ORCID 0000-0002-7273-3655), Pavel Mlýnek
Source: Journal of Baltic Science Education. 2026 25(1):173-189.
Availability: Scientia Socialis Ltd. 29 K. Donelaicio Street, LT-78115 Siauliai, Republic of Lithuania. e-mail: scientia@scientiasocialis.lt; e-mail: mail.jbse@gmail.com; Web site: http://www.scientiasocialis.lt/jbse/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 17
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Descriptors: Freehand Drawing, Spatial Ability, Error Patterns, Cognitive Mapping, Secondary School Students, Accuracy, Climate, Scientific Concepts, Geographic Regions, Maps, Map Skills
ISSN: 1648-3898
2538-7138
Abstract: Spatial error in the mental maps of lower secondary school students regarding the desert biome is investigated, focusing on the accuracy of desert conceptualisation and location. The aim of the study was to assess the status quo in children's conceptions of deserts among lower secondary school students, while focusing on the spatial aspects of these conceptions. A total of 592 lower secondary school students took part in the study. Students were categorized using the children's drawings method into one of six categories according to the predominant elements contained in their drawings. In the second stage, students plotted the locations of deserts worldwide in an outline map; these maps were subsequently processed to produce aggregated mental maps. The study has shown that students have rather simplified perception of deserts as areas covered with sand with minimal rainfall and specific flora and fauna. Students tend to overestimate the area of deserts significantly; they locate most deserts in Africa and central Australia, and a relatively large proportion of students incorrectly locate deserts also in Amazonia.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1506489
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
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  Data: From Drawings to Maps: Links between Drawing Categories and Spatial Error in Students' Mental Maps of the Desert Biome
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Petr+Trahorsch%22">Petr Trahorsch</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7766-3860">0000-0002-7766-3860</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jan+D%2E+Bláha%22">Jan D. Bláha</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7273-3655">0000-0002-7273-3655</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Pavel+Mlýnek%22">Pavel Mlýnek</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Baltic+Science+Education%22"><i>Journal of Baltic Science Education</i></searchLink>. 2026 25(1):173-189.
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  Data: Scientia Socialis Ltd. 29 K. Donelaicio Street, LT-78115 Siauliai, Republic of Lithuania. e-mail: scientia@scientiasocialis.lt; e-mail: mail.jbse@gmail.com; Web site: http://www.scientiasocialis.lt/jbse/
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  Data: 17
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  Data: 1648-3898<br />2538-7138
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  Data: Spatial error in the mental maps of lower secondary school students regarding the desert biome is investigated, focusing on the accuracy of desert conceptualisation and location. The aim of the study was to assess the status quo in children's conceptions of deserts among lower secondary school students, while focusing on the spatial aspects of these conceptions. A total of 592 lower secondary school students took part in the study. Students were categorized using the children's drawings method into one of six categories according to the predominant elements contained in their drawings. In the second stage, students plotted the locations of deserts worldwide in an outline map; these maps were subsequently processed to produce aggregated mental maps. The study has shown that students have rather simplified perception of deserts as areas covered with sand with minimal rainfall and specific flora and fauna. Students tend to overestimate the area of deserts significantly; they locate most deserts in Africa and central Australia, and a relatively large proportion of students incorrectly locate deserts also in Amazonia.
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: EJ1506489
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    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 17
        StartPage: 173
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Freehand Drawing
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Spatial Ability
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Error Patterns
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Cognitive Mapping
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Secondary School Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Accuracy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Climate
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Scientific Concepts
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Geographic Regions
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Maps
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Map Skills
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: From Drawings to Maps: Links between Drawing Categories and Spatial Error in Students' Mental Maps of the Desert Biome
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            NameFull: Jan D. Bláha
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            NameFull: Pavel Mlýnek
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            – D: 01
              M: 01
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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