Appendix A
Map Experience Survey
-
1)
Do you like to hike or camp (yes/no)?
-
2)
Rate your experience with topographic maps:
No experience 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 A lot of experience
-
3)
Do you have any experience with, or have you ever taken a course on orienteering?
-
4)
Have you ever taken a geology, geography, or geosciences course? If so, please provide the course name and whether topographic maps were taught or used.
-
5)
Rate your experience with maps in general:
No experience 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 A lot of experience
-
6)
Rate how much you enjoy looking at, reading, or using maps in general:
No enjoyment 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 A lot of enjoyment
Appendix B
Experimenter-Led Instructional Script for the Elevation Language Group
(REFERRING TO THE SAMPLE TOPOGRAPHIC MAP) Okay, let’s focus on the top left corner of the map (POINT TO BULL’S-EYE PATTERN ON MAP). Each contour line is one value of elevation. The number tells you how high above sea level the area right on the line is. (POINT-AND-TRACE THIRD LINE). Each line represents a different elevation, so you can tell that the ground is getting higher (POINT-AND-TRACE ONE LINE TOWARD MIDDLE), or lower in elevation (POINT-AND-TRACE LINE TOWARD OUTSIDE). In between the lines, the elevation of the ground changes, like from here (POINT-AND-TRACE FROM ONE LINE) to here (ACROSS WHITE SPACE TO ANOTHER LINE).
Now, let’s focus on the right side of the map (POINT TO
STEEP
AND
SHALLOW
SLOPE REGION ON MAP).
In this region, you have an area where the lines are farther apart next to an area where the lines are closer together. When the lines are closer together, the elevation is changing quickly, meaning the region has a steep slope (TRACE PERPENDICULAR ACROSS THE LINES). When the lines are farther apart, the elevation is changing slowly, meaning the region has a shallow slope (TRACE PERPENDICULAR ACROSS THE LINES).
(REFERRING TO MAPS 2 AND 3) Now, we’re going to compare two examples to each other, and get a chance to see how the elevation looks in a simulated terrain. Take a moment and compare the maps, above, with their terrains, below. Note that the two maps are the same, except for how the elevation changes.
Notice how the map on the right has contour lines that are very close together (POINT AND TRACE CONTOUR LINES). The elevation is changing rapidly on this part of the map. Now look at the map on the left. (POINT AND TRACE CONTOUR LINES). The elevation changes slowly as you move along, because compared to these lines (POINT BACK AT MAP ON RIGHT), the lines are farther apart.
(REFERRING TO MAPS 4 AND 5) Here is another example. Again, we’re going to compare two examples to each other, and get a chance to see how the elevation looks in a simulated terrain. Take a moment and compare the maps, above, with their terrains, below. Note that the two maps are the same, except for how the elevation changes.
Start at the top left of the map on the left, notice how the elevation increases from left to right (POINT AND TRACE EACH CONTOUR LINE ON LEFT SIDE), then, inside the center contour line, the elevation stays the same (POINT AND TRACE INNERMOST CONTOUR), then decreases (POINT AND TRACE EACH CONTOUR LINE ON RIGHT SIDE). The map on the right is somewhat different. This time, the elevation is the same at different parts of each little peak (POINT AND TRACE EACH LITTLE PEAK).
Experimenter-Led Instructional Script for the Shape Language Group
(REFERRING TO THE SAMPLE TOPOGRAPHIC MAP) Okay, let’s focus on the top left corner of the map (POINT TO BULL’S-EYE PATTERN ON MAP). Each contour line connects with itself to make a two-dimensional shape. The shape of the lines tells you about the 3D shape of the terrain. (POINT-AND-TRACE THIRD LINE). Each line represents a different area of the ground, so you can tell what shape that part of the terrain is (POINT-AND-TRACE ONE LINE TOWARD MIDDLE), compared to other parts of the terrain (POINT-AND-TRACE LINE TOWARD OUTSIDE). Now connect the lines and visualize how the shape of the terrain changes, like from here (POINT-AND-TRACE FROM ONE LINE) to here (ACROSS WHITE SPACE TO ANOTHER LINE).
Now, let’s focus on the right side of the map (POINT TO
STEEP
AND
SHALLOW
SLOPE REGION ON MAP).
In this region, you have an area where the lines are farther apart next to an area where the lines are closer together. When the lines are closer together, the 3D shape of the terrain is steep, and changes quickly (TRACE PERPENDICULAR ACROSS THE LINES). When the lines are farther apart, the shape of the terrain is shallow, and changes slowly (TRACE PERPENDICULAR ACROSS THE LINES).
(REFERRING TO MAPS 2 AND 3) Now, we’re going to compare two examples to each other, and get a chance to see how the shapes look in a simulated terrain. Take a moment and compare the maps, above, with their terrains, below. Note that the two maps are the same, except for how the shape changes.
Notice how the outermost line is an oval (POINT AND TRACE CONTOUR LINES). The shape of the bottom part of the terrain is also an oval. Now, notice the shape of the contour line at the top. It looks like a half circle. The top of the terrain also looks like a half circle. The shape of the terrain in the image matches the shape of the terrain on the contour map. Now look at the map on the right. (POINT AND TRACE CONTOUR LINES). The shape of the terrain, again, matches the shape of the map, just like the pair on the left (POINT AT MAP ON RIGHT).
(REFERRING TO MAPS 4 AND 5) Here is another example. Again, we’re going to compare two examples to each other, and get a chance to see how the shapes look in a simulated terrain. Take a moment and compare the maps, above, with their terrains, below. Note that the two maps are the same, except for how the shape changes.
Notice how the shape of the map on the right matches the shape of the terrain below it. The left side is rounded (POINT AND TRACE EACH CONTOUR LINE ON LEFT SIDE), the top is an oval (POINT AND TRACE INNERMOST CONTOUR), then the right side is rounded again (POINT AND TRACE EACH CONTOUR LINE ON RIGHT SIDE). The map on the right is somewhat different. This time, the shape of the contour lines forms two smaller ovals. (POINT AND TRACE EACH LITTLE PEAK).
Experimenter-Led Script for the Open-ended Group
(REFERRING TO THE SAMPLE TOPOGRAPHIC MAP). Take a look at this topographic map, and describe in as much detail as possible, what you think the terrain it represents looks like. (ALLOW PARTICIPANT TO LOOK AT MAP AND DESCRIBE.)
Is there anything else you notice about the map? (POINT OUT THE PORTION OF THE MAP THE PARTICIPANT HAS NEGLECTED TO DESCRIBE.)
Okay, let’s focus on the top left corner of the map (POINT TO BULL’S-EYE PATTERN ON MAP). Take a look at this section of the topographic map, and describe in as much detail as possible what you think the terrain it represents looks like. (AFTER PARTICIPANT DESCRIBES.)
Is there anything you notice about this section of the map? (IF THE PARTICIPANT NEGLECTED TO TALK ABOUT A REGION, POINT TO THE REGION.)
Now, let’s focus on the right side of the map (POINT TO
STEEP
AND
SHALLOW
SLOPE REGION ON MAP).
Take a look at this section of the topographic map, and describe in as much detail as possible what you think the terrain it represents looks like. (AFTER PARTICIPANT DESCRIBES.)
Is there anything you notice about this section of the map? (IF THE PARTICIPANT NEGLECTED TO TALK ABOUT A REGION, POINT TO THE REGION.)
(REFERRING TO MAPS 2 AND 3) Now, we’re going to compare two examples to each other, and get a chance to see how the shapes look in a simulated terrain. Take a moment and compare the maps shown above with their terrains shown below.
First, let’s look at Map 2. Describe in as much detail as possible the topographic map and the terrain it represents. (AFTER PARTICIPANT DESCRIBES.)
Is there anything you notice about the map or the terrain? (IF THE PARTICIPANT NEGLECTED TO TALK ABOUT A REGION, POINT TO THE REGION.)
Now, let’s look at Map 3. Describe in as much detail as possible the topographic map and the terrain it represents. (AFTER PARTICIPANT DESCRIBES.)
Is there anything you notice about the map or the terrain? (IF THE PARTICIPANT NEGLECTED TO TALK ABOUT A REGION, POINT TO THE REGION.)
(REFERRING TO MAPS 4 AND 5) Now, we’re going to compare two different examples to each other, and get a chance to see how the shapes look in a simulated terrain. Take a moment and compare the maps shown above with their terrains shown below.
First, let’s look at Map 4. Describe in as much detail as possible the topographic map and the terrain it represents. (AFTER PARTICIPANT DESCRIBES.)
Is there anything you notice about the map or the terrain? (IF THE PARTICIPANT NEGLECTED TO TALK ABOUT A REGION, POINT TO THE REGION.)
Now, let’s look at Map 5. Describe in as much detail as possible the topographic map and the terrain it represents. (AFTER PARTICIPANT DESCRIBES.)
Is there anything you notice about the map or the terrain? (IF THE PARTICIPANT NEGLECTED TO TALK ABOUT A REGION, POINT TO THE REGION.)