The word "test" comes to mind when a person, who is unacquainted with education discourses, reads about assessment issues. Beyond issues of reliability and validity in designing measurement constructs, assessment for school geography must result in better geographical learning. In other words, there must be "consequential…

The lesson described in this article meets several needs for Advanced Placement Human Geography (APHG®) teachers. In the interest of preserving time in the classroom, this lesson is intended to be a capstone assignment, allowing students to synthesize several concepts of the APHG® curriculum, such as demography, economic development, and cultural…

The processes and implications of urban growth are studied in a variety of disciplines as urban growth affects both the physical and human landscape. Remote sensing methods provide ways to visualize and mathematically represent urban growth; and resultant land cover change data enable both quantitative and qualitative analysis. This article helps…

This paper revisits the skills agenda and suggests that in light of shifts from supply-side to demand-led provision within the UK higher education sector, there is a need to think more critically about the role and place of skills within university curricula. It suggests that if universities are to respond effectively to sector changes, then the…

An analogy in the form of an analogue to our culture is useful as a tool for selection of pertinent content and skills, and it is appropriate as a curriculum tool when complemented by the axioms of education. (Author/ND)

Discusses the role of geography in achieving the objectives of environmental education, including environmental awareness, concern, and commitment. Strategies are suggested for teaching about environmental limits, links, complexity, and patterns. For journal availability, see SO 505 721. (Author/DB)

Describes three college level simulations designed to help students understand geographic location. Presented for each simulation is an abstract map, a set of rules, geographic principles illustrated in the game, and explanation of how the game relates to a real-world situation. Rule simplification for use in grades 3-12 is discussed. (Author/DB)

This primer is designed to teach about the concept of census tracts. Census tracts are relatively small statistical subdivisons that vary in population from about 2,500 to 8,000 and are designed to include fairly homogeneous populations. They are most often found in cities and counties of metropolitan areas of the nation. In all, there are over…

The development and initial standardization of a two-part geography assessment test designed to measure student knowledge and understanding at the secondary level is the focus of this study. Intended to provide information about groups of students rather than to assess individual students, Part 1 of the test measures geographic skills and a…

The geographic knowledge, skills, and understandings of fourth, fifth, and sixth graders can be assessed through this test which was developed by the National Council for Geographic Education. The test consists of 27 questions on geography skills, 25 questions on physical geography, and 23 questions on human geography. Students are directed to…

Suggests enhancing geographic education by teaching geography as a relationship between humans and the environment. Explores how to use the geographic themes of location, place and relationships, movement, and regions in the classroom. Provides suggestions for teaching geographic skills and developing geographic tools. Argues geographic awareness…

This unit was designed by a certified Media and Social Studies teacher to help middle school students in Prince George's County, Maryland, plan a trip to East Africa and specifically to Kenya and Tanzania. Each school has a 90 percent African American student population in grades seven and eight, and both are magnet schools. The teacher has had a…

The role of geography in the elementary school curriculum is examined in this paper, which is arranged in four parts. Part 1 briefly sketches the characteristics of geographic instruction at different periods in U.S. history. Intellectual development and social education are identified as two widely accepted goals for elementary education today.…

The scientific community needs to reappraise its actions and become concerned with the real world problems that threaten existence in society. These include world poverty, starvation, and declining quality of life. Geographers need to develop greater concern resulting in evaluating their research, curricula, educational goals and course content in…

A 3-part test measures the geography knowledge, skills, and understanding of secondary level students. Part 1, map skills and location, contains 20 questions involving the use of three maps: an imaginary sketch map, a contour map, and a political map of the world. Part 2 consists of 20 questions covering physical geography. Students analyze…