空間認知(Spatial cognition)是認識地方的基本。透過空間認知的建構，可以增進學生對於地方或區域的瞭解，如何增強學生的空間認知也就成爲地理課程教學的重點。配合國民教育的改革，地圖的角色和功能亟待提昇。本研究藉由對高中生的地圖測試，以地圖教育進行研究，研究工作回顧地圖本質和認知心理理論的相關文獻，並探討學生的地圖知識和技能，進而提出目前國民教育中地圖教育的缺失及問題癥結。研究成果可以提供未來國民教育改革之參考。

Spatial cognition is essential to the study of places. The construction of spatial cognition will enhance student's ability in learning geography. The improvement of students' spatial cognition is a critical issue of geographic education. This research reviews literature of cartographic and cognitive theories and examines the map knowledge and skills of students. This paper identifies the problems of current cartographic education. Conclusion and suggestion are addressed which should be useful to future education reform.