Pollution issues, anthropogenic climate change, and biodiversity declines, formerly local in scope, accumulate to threaten crossing planetary boundaries and tipping Earth's system to an uninhabitable state. The human-environment identity is an unsung cornerstone of geography that can educate upcoming generations of citizens about trends over time,…

This study investigates the didactic educational use of Web GIS in the framework of SMART learning and its potential to help students' practice geospatial thinking. Using qualitative, exploratory action research methods, four classroom experiences were designed, developed, implemented, and analyzed. The findings support the claims that the use of…

This commentary response reflects on the thoughts offered by Solem, Mohan, Rawling, and Lambert regarding Larsen and Harrington's article titled "Developing a Learning Progression for Place" (2018). [For "Developing a Learning Progression for Place" by Thomas B. Larsen and John A. Harrington Jr., see EJ1175719.]

The concept and characteristics of place within geography education are surveyed in the context of learning progressions. Beginning with place's history and relevance in geographic thought, this review moves on to discuss connections between space and place. From a geographic education perspective, place-based instruction and place characteristics…

Social studies professionals advocate linking discipline-based content to citizenship learning goals. However, research suggests that students rarely encounter inquiry-based instruction in their geography coursework and have few opportunities to explore how geography impacts civic decision making. In this article, we present a problem-based…

This article reports the findings of a case study where microteaching was implemented to assist geography teacher-trainees in the planning, design, and implementation of learner-centered instruction in the classroom. The data were collected via questionnaires completed by B.Ed. Geography teacher-trainees (n = 24); structured interviews with some…

The discipline of geography in the United States has not done a good job of attracting people, other than Asians, from underrepresented ethnic groups. This article examines undergraduate geography programs in the United States to understand better the status of their ethnic diversity, particularly regarding Hispanics and African Americans, and to…

Environmental studies programs are goal oriented and depend upon strong disciplines in the university for their methodologies. Geographers contribute important methodologies to interdisciplinary environmental studies programs but should not lose their identity as members of a distinct discipline. (NH)

A study of elementary school children's reasoning processes about every-day objects resulted in implications for the design of curriculum materials used in geography. (Author/KM)

Argues that the creation of a College Board Advanced Placement examination in geography is an indicator of the resurgence of interest in geographic education. Traces the history of the Advanced Placement Program and the place negotiated for geography within it. Discusses continuing challenges that exist for geography educators. (DSK)

Describes in detail a person-centered approach to a college-level world geography course taught at St. Lawrence University (NY) which bases instruction mainly on the interests of students. Discusses how this method has enhanced the learning of world geography and helped professors avoid the pitfalls of content-centered, syllabus-oriented,…

Describes the use of David Savageau's book, "Retirement Places Rated," as a tool for teaching U.S. regional geography. Discusses factors used to evaluate and rate regions as retirement destinations. Includes two project assignments used in a college-level course titled "Geography of the Aged." (CFR)

Presents an overview of geography as taught in West German public schools that is intended to stimulate discussion among U.S. geography teachers. Focuses on the mandatory programs in secondary education. Argues that strengthened geography programs depend on educators' understanding of sound geography content and pedagogy. (DB)

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)

Asserts that the use of computer networks provides an important and effective resource for geography instruction. Describes the use of the Internet network in physical geography instruction. Provides an example of the use of Internet resources in a climatology/meteorology course. (CFR)