Identifies factors which render geography an ill-defined field of study on all educational levels. Topics discussed include geography curricula, historical development of the discipline, various approaches to the discipline, and major objectives. (DB)

Argues that regionalization is a scientific classification of the earth's surface and crucial to the study of geography. Identifies seven key concepts which are associated solely with regionalization. Suggests a method for introducing the concepts in the classroom. (KO)

Geographers in the United States rely heavily on microcomputers. They employ microcomputers to enhance three general categories of tasks: word processing and other productivity needs, geographic instruction, and discipline-specific applications. Word processing and desktop publishing continue to be the primary uses of microcomputers by…

Distortions in judgments of relative geographical relations were observed, particularly when the locations were in different geographical or political units. Subjects distorted the judged relation to conform with the relation of the superordinate political unit. A model for the hierachical storage of spatial information is presented. (Author/RD)

Maintains that good geography instruction stresses student learning through theories, methods, and languages of investigation rather than ingestion of specific facts. A mathematical teaching model for geography is provided. For journal availability, see SO 505 640. (Author/DB)

Accused of harboring and supporting terrorists, Saddam Hussein's country of Iraq sits at the top of a short list of targets in United States war on terrorism. Iraq is a country about twice the size of the state of Idaho with a population of over 22 million. The country relies on oil for its economic well-being and controls what some estimate to be…

This manual is designed as a resource guide for preservice and classroom teachers with an interest in geographic education. The chapters cover a variety of topics including the most recent developments in geographic education. Each chapter offers suggestions and ideas that can be included in general geography/social studies methods courses or…

Describes three college level simulations designed to help students understand geographic location. Presented for each simulation is an abstract map, a set of rules, geographic principles illustrated in the game, and explanation of how the game relates to a real-world situation. Rule simplification for use in grades 3-12 is discussed. (Author/DB)

Presents activities that enable students to determine the exact time of midday and to use this to plot a north-south line. Uses shadow experiments to teach the concepts of rotation of the earth and calculation of latitude. (JRH)

Presents the results of a survey of books that every preservice (and inservice) geography teacher should read as recommended by leading geographic educators. Maintains that the diversity of responses mirrors the eclectic nature of geographic educators and the richness of the field. Includes brief bibliographical reviews of five recommended books.…

States that firsthand observations of the dynamic process that shapes landforms are important to understanding physical geography. Posits that locally planned, short-duration field exercises to study miniature or fourth-order landforms will enhance instruction about these fundamental geographic concepts. (DB)

GeoScape is a landscape design consisting of colored gravel, strategically placed flagstone and boulders, and two vertical features that simulate the geology of fictitious regions. Employs "hands-on", inquiry-based, and cooperative learning techniques to help students develop problem solving and critical thinking skills. Explains the construction,…

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,…

This document demonstrates how social cartography can be used in social research to include individuals and cultural clusters who want their own narratives included in the social discourse. Social cartography is defined as the creation of maps addressing questions of location in the social milieu. Visual images, depicting on the two dimensional…

It is argued that when a discipline, such as human geography, overemphasizes order and neglects skepticism and criticism, the products of research are likely to be erroneous, misleading, and self-fulfilling in nature. The first three chapters present the core of the argument. Chapter 1 establishes the case for an order-skepticism dialectic.…