FROM DRAWINGS TO MAPS: LINKS BETWEEN DRAWING CATEGORIES AND SPATIAL ERROR IN STUDENTS’ MENTAL MAPS OF THE DESERT BIOME

Petr Trahorsch; Jan D. Bláha; Pavel Mlýnek

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FROM DRAWINGS TO MAPS: LINKS BETWEEN DRAWING CATEGORIES AND SPATIAL ERROR IN STUDENTS’ MENTAL MAPS OF THE DESERT BIOME

Title	FROM DRAWINGS TO MAPS: LINKS BETWEEN DRAWING CATEGORIES AND SPATIAL ERROR IN STUDENTS’ MENTAL MAPS OF THE DESERT BIOME
Publication Type	Journal Article
Year of Publication	2026
Authors	Trahorsch, P, Bláha, JD, Mlýnek, P
Journal	Journal of Baltic Science Education
Volume	25
Issue	1
Start Page	173-189
Pagination	continuous
Date Published	February/2026
Type of Article	Original article
ISSN	1648-3898
Other Numbers	E-ISSN 2538-7138
Keywords	children’s conception, children’s drawings method, desert biome, mental mapping, spatial error
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.
URL	https://journals.indexcopernicus.com/search/article?articleId=4765178
DOI	10.33225/jbse/26.25.173
Refereed Designation	Refereed
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