Presents results of a study determining the level of place name knowledge and map skills of middle school pupils. Explores place location, symbols, legend, scale, seasons, directions, time zones, latitude, and longitude. Reports higher scores for males, transient students, and previous students of geography. Concludes that increased instruction is…

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)

Uses the National Council for Geographic Education Competency-Based Geography Test to measure the 1987 level of geographic ability of more than 3,000 students enrolled in introductory classes at 18 Indiana institutions of higher education. Study provides a baseline level of geographic knowledge for future comparisons. Measures impact of gender,…

This report presents two experiments that compared the performance of map experts to that of novices. Subjects (from the areas of geography, educational psychology, and sociology) were 13 university faculty members in experiment one and 12 undergraduate students in experiment two. Following a practice trial, the learning of a logical map and a…

Compares two surveys taken in Ontario, Canada, in 1970 and 1978 covering university instructor assessment of incoming student preparedness, secondary teacher attitudes, and student evaluation of two secondary geography courses. Journal available from Mrs. Helen Horner, Box 438, Postal Station "O", Toronto, M4A 2P1, Ontario. (CK)

This paper reports on an action research project focusing on curricular interventions for improving geographic knowledge and application skills in elementary students. The targeted population consists of third- and fourth-grade students in a middle-class community in southwest suburban Chicago. The deficiency of geographic literacy was documented…

Research was conducted to determine whether teacher training institutes provide adequate education in map and globe skills and whether prospective teachers are capable of transmitting map and globe skills to students. To test these questions, a total of 495 elementary education majors at the University of Central Florida took the Nystrom Map and…

This paper on the pre-college teaching of geography documents the teaching of geography in the United States from 1800 to the present and projects it into the future. Analyses of how views on physical, regional, and human geography have affected the elementary and secondary curricula and a history of the incorporation of geography into the social…

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)

Maintains that cartographic research has long suggested that preschool and early elementary students possess advanced mapping behaviors. Reports on a study of the thematic mapping abilities of 74 second-grade students. Finds that the map tasks were appropriate for this age level and provides four recommendations for classroom instruction. (CFR)

During the 1975-76 school year the Nystrom Map and Globe Study Skills Program was pilot tested by approximately 1,400 students in three elementary schools in Spokane, Washington. The program is a continuous progress program based upon a series of sequential instructional objectives. Major objectives of the program were to help students develop…

A study of first-year college students (n=121) in Taiwan investigated the effects of navigation maps and learner cognitive styles on performance in searches for information, estimation of course scope, and the development of cognitive maps within a hypertext learning course. Students were tested to determine level of perceptual field dependence…

The document explains geographic concepts, products, and programs developed by the Census Bureau to assist users in analyzing census data for geographic areas. Emphasis is on small-area data such as census tracts, city blocks, minor civil divisions, incorporated places, congressional districts, and wards. Also presented are data for larger units…

One way geographical educators can help local communities understand their environment is to offer a course focusing on local regional geography using the concept of regional synthesis. Describes specific mechanics and evaluates short-term outcomes of such a course in Hawaii. Discusses potential uses. Journal availability: see SO 507 262.…

Asserts that, although international understanding is essential for survival, most high school students do not acquire the necessary skills and knowledge for competing in the global community. Finds that geographic knowledge can be integrated into literature courses and includes exemplary lesson plans. (CFR)