-------- Original Message -------- Subject: Re: Is GPS All in Our Heads? Date: Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:41:14 -0600 From: Joel Kovarsky <[log in to unmask]> To: Maps, Air Photo, GIS Forum - Map Librarianship <[log in to unmask]> On 2/6/12 9:22 AM, Angie Cope, American Geographical Society Library, UW Milwaukee wrote: > > It is just an opinion--no real science behind it at all. If one accepts this comment, then one would have to acknowledge that there may be no "real science" behind either impression. It may take a long time to know what detriments occur, but there may be some similarity in considering the declining ability to make basic mathematical calculations-for some groups--with heavy reliance on calculators. And no one will give up calculators...nor should they. I have watched many people use the GPS devices to find restaurants, etc. All that added information plugged into the device undoubtedly is put to some use, but there would be little to support the idea that this improved people's basic way-finding skills. What the culture wants and uses and relies on is not necessarily in the best basic educational interests of the individual. And there is little evidence that these sorts of concerns will diminish use of the technology, although there may be a warning not to let other sorts of way finding skills atrophy entirely. Joel Kovarsky