This meeting site guide for Lexington, Kentucky and the Bluegrass region around Lexington illustrates why the state of Kentucky and this region are excellent examples of how geography plays out on the land, how regions emerge, and how human events and processes, in the context of the physical environment, lead to differentiation and distinction,…

The usefulness of geography knowledge in a child's education is philosophically analyzed from two perspectives: (1) what geography knowledge should U.S. schools be teaching?; and (2) is there agreement about what types of geographical knowledge U.S. schools should teach? Only geographical knowledge that will be useful in life should be taught to…

Outlines a comparative approach to the social dynamics (struggles, adaptations, and cross-border alliances) in regions' bisected borders. Argues that borderland studies provide an indispensable corrective to historical narratives that accept the territoriality to which all modern states lay claim. Discusses borderland culture in relation to space,…

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.…

Reviews the tremendous transformation that human beings have wrought on the earth's surface from the Holocene to the present. Traces this transformation through various stages: the emergence and development of agriculture, agricultural impact and land degradation, ecological and political imperialism, industrialization, and environmental…

Briefly explains the 10 standard objective statements that characterize geography curriculum reform in China. The standards reflect a rigorous and scientific orientation incorporating mathematics, physics, geology, and demographics. No social education component is present. (MJP)

Provides an interesting overview of the philosophical changes initiated in geography over the last 50 years. Argues that dissatisfaction with environmental determinism and its variant of regional geography inspired a quantitative and theoretical revolution in the subject. Recent developments have questioned even the foundations of that revolution.…

Maintains that regional atlases are an important educational tool that must be updated to remain current and valuable. Reports on a user survey among 123 Canadian geography teachers about content and design of atlases. Finds that teachers value simplicity and up-to-date information and not CD-ROM atlases. (CFR)

Considers the various educational philosophies governing geography instruction in Argentina and places them in historical perspective. Contrasts the positivist and historicist approaches and discusses the current curriculum. Includes summaries of proposed changes in the curriculum emphasizing social education. (MJP)

Profiles the current geography curriculum in Australian schools and discusses the policy decisions that resulted in its implementation. Australian geography education features a prominent social education component that emphasizes development, the environment, and other social issues. Includes several tables listing national curriculum goals and…

Discusses the 1991 adoption of geography national standards in England and Wales and the subsequent 1995 revisions. The original standards reflected a conservative emphasis on physical geography as well as a complete rejection of problem solving and critical thinking. The 1995 revisions restored some key ideas and broad emphases. (MJP)

Provides a concise overview of geography education in Germany from the 18th century to the present.Outlines concerns that include the incorporation of the old East German school system and employment problems for German youth. Tables summarize geography curricula throughout different periods. (MJP)