Enhancing Geographical Thinking Through Multimedia Spatial Visualization: A Study of Chinese High School Geography Learning
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Enhancing Geographical Thinking Through Multimedia Spatial Visualization: A Study of Chinese High School Geography Learning

Shuchang Zhang 1*
1 Southwest Jiaotong University
*Corresponding author: shuchangzhang916@gmail.com
Published on 4 December 2025
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LNEP Vol.122
ISSN (Print): 2753-7056
ISSN (Online): 2753-7048
ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-553-0
ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-554-7
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Abstract

Under the trend of digitalization of education, multimedia spatial visualization has become a key driving force for geographical education innovation. Based on twelve core studies and two representative teaching cases, this article discusses how multimedia-based visualization can cultivate geographical thinking in Chinese high school classrooms. The research results show that tools such as GIS, animation and interactive models effectively reduce the cognitive load, enable students to participate in the construction of spatial characterization through visual interaction, and promote the transformation from vision and memory to vision and reasoning. Its core mechanism lies in the cognitive support provided by multimedia, which supports students to understand the spatial relationship and systematic connection between geographical phenomena through visualization, situational and inquiry-based learning. However, challenges still exist, including the limited digital capacity of teachers, regional differences in resources, and the lack of vertical empirical data. The study concludes that multimedia spatial visualization is not only a technological enhancement, but also a teaching bridge connecting cognitive development and geographical thinking cultivation, which provides valuable inspiration for high school geographical innovation and educational modernization.

Keywords:

multimedia spatial learning, geographical thinking, high school geography, geography education reform, digital learning

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Zhang,S. (2025). Enhancing Geographical Thinking Through Multimedia Spatial Visualization: A Study of Chinese High School Geography Learning. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,122,60-67.

References

[1]. Chen, Z. B. (2025) Strategies for cultivating spatial thinking ability in high school geography teaching. College Entrance Examination, (20), 118–120.

[2]. Xia, F. (2025) Spatiotemporal coupling analysis from the perspective of cognitive progression: A case study of typical geography questions in the national college entrance examination. Teaching and Examination, (45), 60–63.

[3]. Fan, X.J. (2025) A study on improving students’ geographical spatial thinking ability through digital teaching tools. Secondary School Curriculum Guidance, (26), 117–119.

[4]. Yang, Z.X., Liu, R.-R., Long, G.H., & Guo, C.X. (2025) Cultivating comprehensive geographical thinking through hierarchical concept mapping: A teaching exploration based on the “Landforms” module in the People’s Education Press geography textbook. Geography Education, (09), 58–62+67.

[5]. Titus, S., & Horsman, E. (2009) Characterizing and improving spatial visualization skills. Journal of Geoscience Education, 57(4), 242-254.

[6]. Bendl, T., Marada, M., & Krajňáková, L. (2024) Breaking down the complexity of geographical thinking: A European perspective. Geography, 109(3), 153–162.

[7]. Bendl, T., Storrøsæter, H., Madsen, L. M., Trokšiar, D., de la Martinière, R., Liu, S., … & Kidman, G. (2025) An international perspective on geography curricula: Paving a way forward for geographical thinking. International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 34(3), 294–317.Stephanie

[8]. Theves, S. (2025) Thinking as analogy-making: Toward a neural process account of general intelligence. The Journal of Neuroscience, 45(18).

[9]. Zhang, Z. H., Li, H. Y., & Yang, Y. T. (2019) Research on multimedia technology course content and teaching methods driven by student and research projects. Computer Education, (10), 159–162.

[10]. Wang, W. Q., Tang, C. L., Xu, X. D., & Zhong, H. (2024) Research on the application of GeoGebra software in high school geography teaching: Taking “Earth’s motion” as an example. Geography Teaching, (02), 35–38.

[11]. Mayer, R. E. (2005) The Cambridge Handbook of Multimedia Learning. Cambridge University Press.

[12]. Yang, D. Y. (2025) Application pathways of multimedia information technology in teaching landforms in high school geography. Information & Computer, 37(19), 176–178.

[13]. Wang, C., Yang, D., & Xu, H. (2022) Engaging Students in Learning the Relations of Geographical Elements through GIS-Enabled Property Price Visualization. Education Sciences, 12(10), 727.

[14]. Guo, F., Liu, Z., Duan, Y., Stoltman, J. P., & Yao, Y. (2017) The Design of Interactive Digital Learning Resource in Geography of Middle School. #i{2017 3rd International Conference on Social Science and Higher Education}.

References

[1]. Chen, Z. B. (2025) Strategies for cultivating spatial thinking ability in high school geography teaching. College Entrance Examination, (20), 118–120.

[2]. Xia, F. (2025) Spatiotemporal coupling analysis from the perspective of cognitive progression: A case study of typical geography questions in the national college entrance examination. Teaching and Examination, (45), 60–63.

[3]. Fan, X.J. (2025) A study on improving students’ geographical spatial thinking ability through digital teaching tools. Secondary School Curriculum Guidance, (26), 117–119.

[4]. Yang, Z.X., Liu, R.-R., Long, G.H., & Guo, C.X. (2025) Cultivating comprehensive geographical thinking through hierarchical concept mapping: A teaching exploration based on the “Landforms” module in the People’s Education Press geography textbook. Geography Education, (09), 58–62+67.

[5]. Titus, S., & Horsman, E. (2009) Characterizing and improving spatial visualization skills. Journal of Geoscience Education, 57(4), 242-254.

[6]. Bendl, T., Marada, M., & Krajňáková, L. (2024) Breaking down the complexity of geographical thinking: A European perspective. Geography, 109(3), 153–162.

[7]. Bendl, T., Storrøsæter, H., Madsen, L. M., Trokšiar, D., de la Martinière, R., Liu, S., … & Kidman, G. (2025) An international perspective on geography curricula: Paving a way forward for geographical thinking. International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 34(3), 294–317.Stephanie

[8]. Theves, S. (2025) Thinking as analogy-making: Toward a neural process account of general intelligence. The Journal of Neuroscience, 45(18).

[9]. Zhang, Z. H., Li, H. Y., & Yang, Y. T. (2019) Research on multimedia technology course content and teaching methods driven by student and research projects. Computer Education, (10), 159–162.

[10]. Wang, W. Q., Tang, C. L., Xu, X. D., & Zhong, H. (2024) Research on the application of GeoGebra software in high school geography teaching: Taking “Earth’s motion” as an example. Geography Teaching, (02), 35–38.

[11]. Mayer, R. E. (2005) The Cambridge Handbook of Multimedia Learning. Cambridge University Press.

[12]. Yang, D. Y. (2025) Application pathways of multimedia information technology in teaching landforms in high school geography. Information & Computer, 37(19), 176–178.

[13]. Wang, C., Yang, D., & Xu, H. (2022) Engaging Students in Learning the Relations of Geographical Elements through GIS-Enabled Property Price Visualization. Education Sciences, 12(10), 727.

[14]. Guo, F., Liu, Z., Duan, Y., Stoltman, J. P., & Yao, Y. (2017) The Design of Interactive Digital Learning Resource in Geography of Middle School. #i{2017 3rd International Conference on Social Science and Higher Education}.

Cite this article

Zhang,S. (2025). Enhancing Geographical Thinking Through Multimedia Spatial Visualization: A Study of Chinese High School Geography Learning. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,122,60-67.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Volume title: Proceeding of ICSPHS 2026 Symposium: Critical Perspectives on Global Education and Psychological Development

ISBN: 978-1-80590-553-0(Print) / 978-1-80590-554-7(Online)
Editor: Nafhesa Ali, Enrique Mallen
Conference website: https://www.icsphs.org/Huntsville.html
Conference date: 15 January 2026
Series: Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media
Volume number: Vol.122
ISSN: 2753-7048(Print) / 2753-7056(Online)

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