A survey of 524 planning agencies and consultants in the Midwest and Southwest was undertaken in 1976 to identify skills required for planning and to assess current capabilities in those skill areas. The major purpose of the survey was to aid geographic educators as they prepare students for careers in the planning profession. One part of the…

Maintains that with the publication of the National Geography Standards geography has taken a major stride toward demonstrating to teachers the breadth and significance of the discipline. Focuses on three aspects of geographic reality in the lives of teachers and students. Concludes that geographic knowledge is part of every person's life. (CFR)

As geographers incorporate futuristics into geography instruction, they must develop an area of inquiry (geofuturistics) with a clearly defined purpose and direction. Geofuturistics is interpreted as futuristics involving the application of geographic skills, methods, and viewpoints in teaching and research. Although future-oriented research has…

The Santa Monica Geography Project has been under development, field study, and implementation from 1963 to 1970. The program is discussed under four headings. 1) Instructional Techniques: Included are field experiences, the use of community resources, inquiry, and multimedia use. 2) Curriculum: Geography was chosen to integrate the concepts and…

Maintains that the content, skills, and perspectives specified for preservice teacher education in the National Geography Standards are essential for dissemination of the Standards to classrooms across the nation. Presents a model curriculum based on this approach. (CFR)

Summarizes the recent changes in the highly centralized national geography curriculum in Japan. Prominent reforms include the implementation of environmental studies in the elementary schools and a broader emphasis, across the curriculum, on world geography. In teacher education, emphasis is now placed on teaching skills rather than subject…

This study examines the relationship between children's procedural and conceptual understanding of mathematics and their accuracy in reporting and interpreting geography text material containing mathematical information. It was hypothesized that (1) children's misconceptions or lack of experience with particular mathematical content areas would be…

The history of the High School Geography Project is presented. The paper is divided into five topics. (1) "Search for Direction" traces the project from its origins in 1961 to the emergence of a curriculum development model. (2) "The Elaboration of the Curriculum Model and the Evolution of the Development Process Model"…

Intended to follow an introductory unit, this revised unit is one of several being prepared as part of a geography course based on a settlement theme provisionally planned for tenth grade students and requiring approximately four weeks. An extensive tryout conducted in 1965 in four areas of California, Illinois, Ohio, and New Jersey involved 47…

Recognizes the leadership role played by professional and educational organizations, most notably the National Geographic Society (NGS), in promoting geography education. The NGS and other organizations established standards and guidelines concerning content and instruction. Includes brief descriptions of activities and their sponsoring…

A land use unit using information from space programs is intended to help secondary teachers develop, plan, and implement land use programs in the social studies classroom. The subject of this unit is a flood control dam in Colorado. Interdisciplinary curriculum includes activities in mapmaking, environmental and mathematical studies, local…

Examines the historical dimensions of school geography in Nigeria. Current reform suggestions include replacing geography education's theoretical orientation with more fieldwork and laboratory experience. Professional organizations could promote public awareness and increased funding. (MJP)

Designed to demonstrate how changing value systems affect individuals, the social studies guide suggests materials, resources, and activities to classroom teachers. The major objective of the guide is to help students gain in maturity and develop the ability to deal with values. The document is presented in 27 chapters. The first five chapters…

Describes a geography literacy quiz project developed by the Geography Club at California State University (Fresno). Reports that poor quiz results sparked interest in developing programs to ensure geographic literacy. Comments on a program at Dos Palos (California) High School that will require geography proficiency examinations for graduation by…

Discusses a model program at the University of Northern Colorado for preparing secondary geography teachers. Asserts that the program's key feature is the presence of an outstanding secondary teacher in residence throughout the year who team-teaches the geography teaching methods course. (CFR)