The sketch maps as a language to analyze geographic reasoning

Abstract

This research aims to investigate the geographic reasoning process of high school students of the last degree. A qualitative approach based on two case studies was adopted to collect and analyze data on this issue. The two high schools were located in Presidente Prudente city is Sao Paulo State (Brazil). The tasks involved sketch map-making and existing map-reading. Based on this study, it was possible to identify the potential and limits that students have in relation to geographic reasoning and how the teacher of geography can recognize and intervene in students' learning of geographic knowledge.