1. Comparing Map Representations and Our Observations
Get a map for a well-known area. The map can be at any scale or of any type; it should show things that people are well familiar with. Start out by comparing what you remember of that area to how it is represented on the map. What is missing?
What is simplified? What has been added or exaggerated? Compare your map and answers to these questions to a neighbor’s. Are they the same or different lists? How could that depend on scale or the type of map?
2. Make Mental Maps and Discuss Them with a Classmate
Draw maps from memory of an area you and your neighbor are familiar with. When you are done, identify common elements with your neighbor or in small groups and write them down on the board in your classroom and discuss how well the mental maps help communication. Also discuss how the maps could be drawn differently and what cartographic or geographic choices the different map involves.
3. Choices and Scales
Examine the figure showing the three types of maps and different scales. What choices do you think were made to make each map? What is the scale of each map? How does the differences between map scales affect the way things are shown? How do the choices differ in relationship to scale and map type?
4. EXTENDED EXERCISE: Mental Maps
Objectives: Communication with maps
Things and events as patterns and processes Accuracy is related to use
Overview
Mental maps are a way of portraying geographic relationships and features, but can only communicate in limited ways. In this exercise you will prepare a mental map of the area you live in. Later, you will find a map of the same area on the Internet and compare the two maps in terms of what they communicate and their suitability for navigation.
Instructions
On a piece of plain white paper draw your mental map of the area from memory.
Don’t just draw (or copy from) a street map! This should be a mental map, not a car- tographic map. Take about 20 minutes to draw and annotate (for your instructor’s sake) your map. Show as much detail as you can, and use a different color for the annotations if you can. Remember to focus on making the map accurate only in
terms of what is important to you—the places you live, eat, work, walk, recreate, and so on. Leave off things that are not important. Include the following elements and symbols:
Landmarks: prominent points of interest Pathways: paths, streets, etc.
Districts: downtown, dorms, etc.
Nodes: meeting places, centers where pathways cross
Barriers: Obstructions
Don’t forget to put your name and date on the map when you are finished.
Communicating with Maps
Find a road map of the same area on the Internet. You can find maps for most areas at several websites including mapquest.com, maps.yahoo.com, and www.multimap.
com. Print the map out if you can. What are the key differences between your map and the online map? Are both maps showing the same things? How can you explain the differences? Does it have something to do with the reason for making each map? Which map is better for communicating?
Patterns and Processes
One of the most interesting things about maps is that because the paper and draw- ing won’t change by itself after you make it, you have to show things, such as a house or store, in the same way as you show processes—for example, the way you walk to a bus stop or drive a car to work. If you use multiple colors you can separate things and events, but remember the map doesn’t show the process, it only shows an event that corresponds to the process.
Accuracy Is Also a Question of Use
Comparing the two maps, it seems to make sense that neither map is better than the other for communicating. If you want to explain to someone the place you live in, your mental map is much better in communicating the places you like, where you live and work, and what is significant in this area for you. If you just needed to explain to a visitor how to get to campus, downtown, a store, or park, than the online map is probably better suited because it focuses on giving the information needed for navigation in the area.
The potential use of a map is an important factor in determining the map’s accu- racy. While the online map is more accurate for general navigation, your mental map may be better for explaining to a visiting relative how to meet you at the local park or café you frequently go to.
Questions
1. What do you personally consider to be the most important features you drew on your map? Why are they important?
2. Are there blank areas on your map? If so, why? What do you guess is in these “empty” spaces?
3. How long have you lived in the area? How has this affected your mental map?
4. Do you use a car? A bicycle? How does this affect your mental map?
5. How does your mental map compare to the road map? Consider differ- ences in detail and the use of the maps for navigation. What purposes do you think each map is better suited for?