The research of map reading and interpretation skill according to teachers and students views

How to read and interpret map which shows the principles of distribution of geography, which makes the information meaningful, which is used every stage of life, are very important for both education and business life. Map reading and interpreting skill which is divided into subgroups such as finding locations, understanding colors, knowing symbols, measuring distance, positioning and orientation is among the achievements of our country's middle school's social studies lessons. The purposes of this study are to define what the social studies teachers, 5th, 6th and 7th grade students think about map reading and interpreting skills. In order to accomplish this aim, surveys were carried out with 100 social science teachers and 100 students from 5, 6, and 7.th grade after that interviews were made with 20 teachers and 20 students From Pozantı and Seyhan district in Adana. Questionnaires, interviews and focus group interview questions used in this research were developed by the researcher. This research can be called as a mixed research in which the interviews and the surveys made. Content analysis is used in analysis of the qualitative information obtained in the research. Frequency, percentage and arithmetic mean values from descriptive statistical techniques were used in analyzing the quantitative information obtained from the research. In computer programs, quantitative data were analyzed using the SPSS 21.0 It was determined that Teacher candidates should be educated about computer applications related to maps in their undergraduate years (=4,80) and students understood the subjects better when teachers used maps (=4,90). In addition, it was found out that the average of teachers using digital platforms such as Google-earth to improve the ability to read and interpret maps in lessons was =1,65 and that the average of the teachers who say that finding direction, detecting distance and drafting activities were found in textbooks was =2,55. As a result of the research, it has been found that the maps in the textbooks and the wall maps are not fascinating due to the pale colors and small size (n=14), as well as interactive social studies laboratories are inadequate to hide the relevant maps and wall maps (n=13). According to the students, maps are important for social studies courses (=4,90), students know the meanings of the colors on the map (=4,19) but they have problems in drawing draft maps (=3,21). It has been found that students are aware of the importance of maps in all areas of our lives, such as courses, work, holidays, and at least they enjoy the maps from navigation devices, digital platforms and smart boards. From pre-school to college, teaching programs in our country should be enriched by map reading and interpreting skill. Cartographic designs of the maps used in 5th, 6th, and 7th grade social studies textbook, must be reviewed in accordance with the level of students. Physical conditions of schools should be improved in terms of smart boards, projection devices and relief maps. Digital applications for maps, e-content for textbooks, interactive games and maps should be prepared. Key Words: Social studies, map, map reading and interpreting skills.