In this article, the author describes how an "I do, we do, you do" scaffolded approach for explicit instruction can be utilized to teach map skills to students in kindergarten through grade 2. She argues that classroom teachers who are familiar with explicit instruction may frequently use the model for reading and math instruction while…

Spatial ability is a form of intelligence where a person demonstrates the capacity to mentally generate, transform, and rotate a visual image and thus understand and recall spatial relationships between real and imagined objects. The aim of this paper is three-fold: (1) to review related empirical studies on spatial abilities for young children…

Educational curriculum often addresses the challenges and needs of the society in which the school resides. In addition, the curriculum provides a room for schools to teach skills necessary to combat the imbalances within societies. This paper aimed at investigating whether Lesotho's Geography syllabus addresses technological challenges. The…

This article provides an overview of learning progressions (LP) and assesses the potential of this line of research to improve geography education. It presents the merits and limitations of three of the most common approaches used to conduct LP research and draws on one approach to propose a first draft of a LP on map reading and interpretation.…

The introduction conveys some data on learning in India and on designing Geography textbooks in this country. The present paper is reliant on four Geography textbooks, ranging from the 9th to the 12th grade. As regards each textbook, the study considers their learning units, then analyses their structure, the unitary way of designing them, the…

The teaching and learning of map reading and interpretation at senior secondary school level in Nigeria is now at lower ebb. Teachers seem to scarcely and scantly teach it and students seem to be seriously scared of it. Studies, personal encounter and Chief examiners reports of West African Examination Council have shown that students' performance…

The ability to recognize distortions of, for example, areas, angles, and landmass shapes in global-scale map projections, is an important part of critical map reading and use. This study investigates the cues used by individuals when they assess distortion on global-scale map projections. It was hypothesized that landmass shape would be a dominant…

A foundational skill for all field-based sciences is the ability to accurately record the location of field observations onto a map. To investigate the strategies children use when recording their observations during field-based inquiries, fourth graders were asked to indicate the location of colored flags by placing similarly colored stickers on…

After fifteen years of geographic education efforts, a baseline geography skills test was repeated in Indiana. In 2002, 2,278 students in college freshman geography courses were tested with a revision of the National Council for Geographic Education Competency-Based Geography Test, Secondary Level Form II. The test measured geographic ability in…

This article is designed to illustrate the critical importance of utilizing cartographic representations, i.e., maps in aiding in the increase of academic scores in regards to World Geography at the 10th grade level. The issue of using maps to better a student's comprehension of various world cultures is essential. It is my contention that the…

A series of microgenetic experiments was conducted to examine the role of experience on 2.5- to 5-year-old children's discovery of spatial mapping strategies. With experience, 3- to 4-year-olds discovered a strategy for mapping corresponding locations that shared both featural and spatial similarities. When featural and spatial correspondences…

Explains how the use of Army Map Service (AMS) maps can enhance student understanding of Soviet geography on the college level. Topics discussed include map characteristics, division of content and map examples, and techniques for using the maps. (DB)

As a means of helping students build map skills, the article presents information on how the energy crisis affects poor people in developing nations (lack of firewood, disappearing forests, erosion due to removal of ground cover). Presents a global map showing the extension of desert conditions and includes questions to help students analyze the…

Argues that map skills instruction is among the broadest skill applications in the elementary school curriculum. Identifies problems encountered by elementary school children in dealing with maps and describes tasks designed to address such problems. Suggests that what teachers and curriculum developers learn from working with students can be used…

Suggests ways to improve secondary school students' locational knowledge. Argues for teaching strategies that emphasize the value of locational information. Discusses the importance of memory in the development of locational skills. Suggests that issue-oriented instruction can promote the development of such skills. (SG)