The spatial thinking skills and attitudes of geography majors were compared with those of future teachers majoring in elementary education and secondary social studies education. Scores were obtained for each group on two measures: the spatial skills test and the attitude toward spatial thinking inventory. Mean differences were examined based on…

This article characterizes and measures errors in the 2010 National Research Council (NRC) assessment of research-doctorate programs in geography. This article provides a conceptual model for data-based sources of uncertainty and reports on a quantitative assessment of NRC research data uncertainty for a particular geography doctoral program.…

Determining the direction in which to face another location on the globe is a problem with significant social and religious meaning, and one with a rich and interesting history in the Western world. Yet a fully satisfying geographic solution to this problem is hindered by our intuitive perception of the world as a flat surface-where a "straight"…

This paper reviews some traditional classroom practices with their origins in Medieval educational systems, and contrasts this with the daily environment of the average student in North America today. Various supplementary multimedia techniques are discussed, particularly in relation to classroom and community use. (Author)

A 1973 survey of middle, junior, and senior high schools in Connecticut indicated that more schools teach geography now than they did in 1968; more geography courses are required now; no major curriculum changes have occurred since 1968; geography courses are oriented toward social studies; and geography is strongest in junior high schools.…

Compares 11 English-language geography journals according to the following criteria: (1) content (nationality, education level, target audience, items included in journal, types of geography covered, and whether the articles contain bibliographies) and (2) appearance (page size, number of pages, and whether color printing is used). (DAJ)

Contends that no comparative analysis of the reunifications of Vietnam and Germany has been conducted. Presents a study that helps students and teachers understand the process. Discusses three approaches: (1) a winners-losers hypothesis; (2) a persistent dissimilarities hypothesis; and (3) a borderlands to centrality hypothesis. (CFR)

Shows that six minor modifications in the standard format for summer teacher institutes can modestly increase the mastery of geography content by participants. Discusses the six modifications and demonstrates their effects based on observations of two institutes, one that did employ the modifications and one that did not. (DSK)

Explores sixth- and ninth-grade students' knowledge of geography and geography-related careers, focusing on sex-related differences. Discusses the results, including: (1) no significant differences between male and female students for overall and subarea scores; (2) sex-related differences emerged when ethnicity was considered; and (3) students…

Investigates quilts as objects of material culture with unique regional characteristics. Selects the Amish quilt as an example of how quilts can reflect the dimensions of a folk culture. Explains how to include quilts in a unit on folk culture. Provides an example lesson and bibliography. (CMK)

Examines the environmental experiences of eighth grade boys and girls in Eugene (Oregon). Students kept a one-week diary of all the places they visited in Eugene. Suggests that gender and social relationships influence how males and females interact with places in their communities. (CMK)

Investigates two questions: (1) the sex-related differences in Landsat Mastery, road map reading, and map drawing among adolescents and (2) the relationship between spatial ability and mapping skills. Replicates significantly lower female performance on parts of the Landsat tasks. Concludes that spatial ability correlations with mapping are too…