HOW DO UNDERGRADUATE GEOGRAPHY STUDENTS RATE THEIR MAP SKILLS? THEORY AND PRACTICE

ABSTRACT: Despite consensus in geography that maps are among the most significant tools of geographic pedagogy and learning processes and that improving map skills of students is one of the key objectives of geography curricula, it is difficult to say that there is sufficient literature aimed at measuring the map skills of students—especially in Turkey. This study reviews the literature regarding measuring of map competencies of undergraduate geography students. This study then investigates the statistical differences between students ’ self-assessments of their map skills and their actual performance on a test measuring their map competencies. Results indicate that there were no significant differences between student opinions and their performance in map skills, while male and female students differed in statements pertaining to the location of the main landforms, map scale, and main directions on a given map. Boys and girls also differed significantly in finding their place of domicile