Evaluation the thematic map requirements for the geography lecture program of the secondary school in respect to the sights of lecturers

Use of material in education is utmost important for a more meaningful and permanent training and education. For a better understanding, explaining and grasping the issues in education and training, the teaching materials should be used. Furthermore, attracting the interest and attention of the students, and encouraging learning also depends on the efficient usage of the teaching materials. Maps are one of the most important materials used in geography teaching. In this study, the importance of visual materials, the usage of tools in geography teaching and the usage of thematic maps which is a significant material in geography education are explored. To this end, a survey has been carried out to determine the views of the secondary school geography lecturers for their thematic map needs. The developed measurement tool has been applied to 140 geography lecturers working at the secondary schools located within the boundaries of contiguous area in Ankara, covering Altındağ, Çankaya, Etimesgut, Keçiören, Mamak, Sincan, and Yenimahalle sub-provinces, to define the requirements for the thematic maps in geography lecture program of the 9th class of secondary school.The distribution of the sample answers given to questions is obtained using the Chi-Square Homogeneity Analysis with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). 95% confidence level (5% significance level) is adopted while performing this analysis. Percentage (%), number of data (n), arithmetic mean (X), Chi-square (X2), level of significance (p) are used in the analysis of data obtained. The reliability coefficient of the survey is 0,952 and has a high reliable degree.In this context, the requirements for thematic maps in the program of 9th class geography lecture have been determined and interpreted according to the lecturers? views. 9th class geography textbooks which constitute the contents of the study and thematic maps in supplementary materials do not currently meet the requirements of the lecturers.In the process of delivery to students the gains taking place in the curriculum of geography lesson, the thematic maps which have been specified as needed by the teachers must be submitted to use of teachers and students in schools.Keywords: Geography education, visuality, map, thematic map.