Discusses the value of communications skills in geographical education. Describes the use of realistic interviews that were a part of small-group project work. Explains that students wrote job specifications, a curriculum vitae, a cover letter, and conducted interview panels. (CMK)

Analyzes the teaching portfolios of eight novice geography teachers focusing on how useful portfolios are for teacher development, what the portfolios reveal about their teaching philosophies, what can be learned about the experience of novice teachers, and the extent of discipline-specific material present in the portfolios. (CMK)

Reports on a survey of United Kingdom geography departments where data were collected on the availability, use, and opinions about the role of audio visual resources (AVRs) in teaching and learning. Reveals that AVRs are seen positively, hardware is readily available, software provision is uneven, and AVR commitment varies. (CMK)

Describes a workshop designed to communicate to students the idea of appropriate technology in soil conservation enabling them to experience concepts in the geography of development. Explains that the workshop was evaluated by students using open and closed style questions. Includes references. (CMK)

Introduces the symposium on Virtual Geographies in this issue focusing on using the Internet effectively to teach geography. States that the papers provide a degree of assessment about the use of the Internet in geography at the higher education level. (CMK)

Discusses the essential skills that students need in order to participate in a Web-based learning environment: (1) selecting a starting point for research; (2) using search engines and online databases; (3) taking notes in digital form; and (4) evaluating Internet resources. Addresses the standards of conduct expected of students. (CMK)

Evaluates the use of the Internet by exploring seven principles of good practice in undergraduate education: (1) student-faculty contact; (2) cooperation among students; (3) active learning; (4) prompt feedback; (5) time on task; (6) high expectations; and (7) respects diverse talent and learning styles. Includes results from a student survey.…

Describes the course unit, "Global Environmental Crises," that encompasses four environmental issues and involves a variety of information technology (IT) based components. Discusses the five rationales for the development of this course, summarizes formative and summative evaluations, and analyses the implications of this unit. (CMK)

Describes and evaluates whether students could be more motivated to learn, acquire more skills, and exhibit higher course satisfaction by assessing students in two sections of a weather and climate course where only one section used real-time weather data. Reveals that inclusion of the real-time weather data positively affected learning and…

Describes the project "Step Up to Geography in Distance Learning," a model distance-learning-based graduate program in geography that integrates the collaborative approach with a multi-layered system of instructional technologies, such as the Internet, video conferencing, print materials, and pre-packaged cassette tapes. (CMK)

Focuses on the morality of distance education in geography. States that distance education learners are a qualitatively different, older population with educational needs separate from traditional on-campus students. Argues that geography educators have a moral obligation to serve lifelong learners. Includes references. (CMK)

Describes the Institute for Learning and Teaching (ILT) that is a professional institute established in response to the Dearing Report recommendations. Discusses how geographers can become involved. Explains that ILT seeks members who exhibit knowledge and experience in five specific areas. (CMK)

Provides an information guide about planning independent, human and physical geography fieldwork overseas and highlights potential problems that can occur. Includes a bibliography of essential information sources and addresses. (CMK)

Addresses the relationship between teaching and research within geography. Focuses specifically on undergraduate teaching. Argues that the teaching-research relationship must be explored in the context of research and scholarly literature. Provides suggestions on how to deliver teaching-research relationships. Includes references. (CMK)

Presents a study in which participants of the Virtual Geography Department (VGD) at the University of Texas (Austin) were interviewed in order to learn about the effects the VGD had on their educational practice. Demonstrates that the VGD inspires innovative practice in geography by training faculty members in online instruction. (CMK)