This study examines "VirtualGeo", a Mixed Reality and Generative AI platform designed to enhance U.S. geography knowledge among international students. By integrating immersive technologies, VirtualGeo allows students to engage with spatial content within an interactive digital landscape. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study…

Knowledge of geography is one of the main elements in solving problems such as urbanization, socio-economic inequalities, disease, migration, natural disasters. It is also seen that importance is given to the acquisition of geographical skills in educational programs. The spatial thinking skill that provides geospatial information is a geographic…

This paper traces the history and growth of air photo interpretation and remote sensing within the field of geography. Courses offered in these fields, factors influencing growth, research findings, and professional geographic interest are discussed. (JH)

The purpose of this paper is to promote a better understanding of contour map lines and the mental visualization of the topographic forms that they represent by detailing 17 principles of contour map reading and illustrating them with computer-generated, three-dimensional maps. (Author/BSR)

Used to satisfy the communications requirement of an undergraduate core curriculum, this article provides a curricular rationale, course outline, behavioral objectives, teaching strategies, and modes of evaluation for a course on the language of maps. (JDH)

Discusses an experiment with students' free-hand mapping of Canada as a teaching-learning activity in a university level course on the geography of Canada. Explains objectives and problems of map-drawing exercises. (DB)

Value-by-area maps, or cartograms, provide a curiosity-provoking method of depicting geographically related data. The use of cartograms for learning such data involves a learner's familiarity with the region depicted and the distortion of true, earth-centered scale. To examine the effects of region familiarity and region distortion on learning…

Geography teachers can illustrate the patterns associated with mineral fuel production, especially coal, by using United States Geological Survey topographic maps, which are illustrated by symbols that indicate mine-related features, such as shafts and tailings. Map reading exercises are presented; an interpretative map key that can facilitate…

Presents a checklist for evaluating commercially available mapping software. Analyzes software features by general categories including range of map types, availability and flexibility of data files, and program evaluation. Discusses ease of operation, the manual, tutorial, screens and help, error handling, design flexibility, hard copy output,…

Two samples (n=435 and 456) were drawn to represent changes between 1968 and 1986 in cartographic and cognitive map skills in college freshmen. Subjects from the second sample ranked the 48 contiguous states by residential preference. Results are discussed. (Author/MT)

This article describes how to design and implement a map reading tournament for college students enrolled in an introductory map reading course. The tournament takes place within the classroom. Includes guidance in forming the questions and tips on running the tournament. (JDH)

Summarizes 10 basic exam questions relating to distance, direction, time, and world interest that have confounded college freshmen entering a professor's geography classes over the past 15 years. Students bewildered by the pretest usually did not pass or even finish his course. Also, foreign students performed better than American students. (MLH)

Presents a unit on map and compass activities which introduces compass direction, magnetic declination and conversion of map measurement to familiar units. Requires four, one-hour class meetings and may be followed by a half-day orienteering activity. (Author/JDH)

Describes an approach to eliminating "map illiteracy" in college students. Map illiteracy is defined as the inability to read and draw meaning from simple maps used in history texts and teaching. (JDH)

A sequence of organizational problems is examined and suggestions made from a previous study of the southern peninsula of Michigan. Suggested for all age levels above the elementary school, this project is a feasible design for an oft-neglected aspect of physical geography. (Author)