In the face of widespread geographic ignorance, the article applauds the improved status of geography in the schools, describing it as the science best able to meet the challenge of ensuring that students' mental maps of the world are filled in with great and accurate detail. The field is defined through a multiple definition as both a physical…

Maintains that misperceptions or incorrect mental images about relative location and size are common in geography. Reports on a study of 708 students ranging in age from junior high school through undergraduate school. Finds that misperceptions are widespread and exist across grade levels. (CFR)

Reports on a forum of publishers with international experience producing geography textbooks for higher education. Discusses the role of textbooks, international differences in courses, impact of changes within the discipline, and emerging technologies. Outlines three thematic trends in geography textbook publishing. (CFR)

Presents a historical overview of the educational reform movement that produced the "Guidelines for Geographic Education: Elementary and Secondary Schools" and the "Fundamental Themes of Geography." Describes the efforts that led to the identification of the five fundamental themes and their translation into ordinary language.…

Reports the effectiveness of nine in-service summer institutes designed to improve geography instruction. Discusses strengths and weaknesses of the workshops and the institutes' long-term effectiveness. Finds that participants not only made substantive changes in how they taught geography, but also conducted high-level inservice programs. (CFR)