This article examines the results of an online national survey of K-12 educators who attended a series of GIS training workshops conducted by the authors between 1998 and 2004. Data from the self-report survey (N = 186) suggest new information about potential changes in instruction and assessment patterns following GIS training. The survey…

Greenways are prominent features of many urban landscapes and synthesize several geographic topics: human-environment interactions, urban ecosystems, and the promotion of sustainability within riverine corridors. Greenways are easily accessible and provide an opportunity for students at various grade levels to study interactions across physical…

Discusses shortcomings of conventional maps and examines how to transform map geography to provide more functional cartographic illustrations. (Author/DB)

Notes that the recent outcry for geographic literacy often stresses place-location geography, the weakest argument for including geography in the elementary and secondary school curriculum. Maintains that K-12 geography courses must clearly define those skills, world patterns, and conceptual frames of reference that geographers consider essential…

Discusses geography's rather low status and relatively poor public image in the United States and some of the consequences. Among the world's educated industrial nations, the United States ranks among the least literate in a geographical sense. (RM)

Discusses problems in Canadian environmental education, stressing the scarcity of geographical concepts in course content at all levels. Research indicates the lack of a coherent policy toward environmental education and a shortage of skilled teachers. The author recommends that geographers actively assist educators in applying geographic…

Discusses a study based on the "New York Times" in which newsworthy countries and cities are surveyed. The objective is to provide information to geography classroom teachers who incorporate current events into their geography programs. Maps, charts, textual information, and a comparison with a 1960 survey are included. (DB)

Reviews various definitions of the concept of distance and suggests that basic notions regarding distance require directed learning. Identifies challenges regarding relative distance for geography researchers and teachers. (Author/DB)

Gathers information about children's emerging concepts of geography and teachers' successful instructional interventions in an attempt to ascertain which approaches work best with various learning difficulties. Briefly describes successful strategies and interventions used by geography teachers. Includes a table listing geographic theme, grade,…

Presents a model for structuring writing in the geography class with a focus on using maps to prompt writing that will promote student interaction with geographic concepts. Delineates four components of successful writing as fluency, flexibility, frequency, and formality. Includes suggestions for geographic writing activities. (MJP)

Outlines learning activities for applying geography's five fundamental themes to studying Antarctica and points out the learning potential, for studying the economic, historical, and political geography of the continent. Groups activities for grades K-5, 6-8, and 8-12. Stresses cooperative learning in general, and includes a role play activity for…

Compares "old" geography curriculum with "new" geography curriculum proposed by National Geographic Society and based on five geographic themes. Examines new course as both geography course and as subject in the general education curriculum. Noting the marginal value and limitations of the new geography, recommends that the…

Explains a way to introduce geographic concepts concerning the Great Plains through nineteenth-century folksongs. Folksongs relate what is geomorphologically true and reveal values and attitudes that are true for the region and time. A geographic understanding includes both the human and physical aspects of the region. (GG)

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)

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.…