Teaching about spatial navigation: some (inter)disciplinary insights

For researchers interested in Spatial Information Theory (SIT), sharing concepts, methods, and tools is a fundamental requirement for the advancement of interdisciplinary collaboration. However, topics related to SIT are still predominantly taught on a disciplinary basis at universities. In this exploratory study, we searched for the elements that are commonly shared among disciplines when teaching about a SIT-related topic such as spatial navigation. Non-directive interviews were conducted with five professors and lecturers from various academic fields at Université Laval (Quebec City, Canada). The goals, concepts, methods, and tools employed to teach about spatial navigation were analyzed using a reflexive thematic analysis framework. Highlights of the study concern the purpose of working on spatial navigation, the conceptual framework the students should know, and the pedagogical approach that is used. This exploratory study reveals that despite their diverse backgrounds, teaching professionals working on spatial navigation have much in common. These results open perspectives for developing teaching materials that could be shared across disciplines to train the future generation of SIT researchers from an interdisciplinary perspective.