In this study, it was aimed to determine the effect of map skills studies conducted for secondary school students on students' academic success and to synthesize research findings. For this purpose, the results of the experimental studies were analyzed in the research by meta-analysis method. Studies within the scope of the research were survey…

For a few decades, map skills stay at the forefront of not only geographers' and geographic educators' research interest. To identify what has already been accomplished, where the research currently stands and where the potential for future studies lies, a review of the literature was carried out. Specifically, this comprehensive synthesis of map…

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…

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)

In this classroom activity secondary students determine conditions present at the onset of the Civil War to understand some of the basic reasons why the Union and Confederacy employed certain strategies designed to win the war. Students are assigned the role of a general and they work in groups to analyze graphs and maps and develop military…

Almost without exception, published studies on cognition in orienteering have adopted an information processing perspective involving dualism between objective and subjective worlds. An alternative, experiential framework focuses on the orienteer's conception of (or way of experiencing) the task to be accomplished, and on "affordances" (lines of…

Describes Middle America (Central America) in terms of two geographical building blocks: location and place. Tables, maps, films, video resources, and a suggested instructional activity demonstrate the concepts of location, physical characteristics, and cultural characteristics in geographic education. (DH)

Recommends that social studies classroom teachers use landsat images in geography units to teach students about map interpretation. Information is presented on interpreting landsat images, uses of landsat images in the classroom, cities for which landsat images are available, and ordering information. (DB)

Describes how study of irrigation practices on topographic maps can help students in introductory high school and college geography courses understand man and land relationships to geography. (Author/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…

Reviews recent research on information processing and decision making in orienteering. The main cognitive demands investigated were selection of relevant map information for route choice, comparison between map and terrain in map reading and in relocation, and quick awareness of mistakes. Presents a model of map reading based on results. Contains…

Evaluates the amount of instructional time which is devoted to map reading and other geographic skills during social studies classes in elementary school. Identifies stages which pupils pass through as they learn to draw maps. Suggests that map experiences be integrated into the curriculum so that children can better accomplish map-related tasks.…

Describes a cartographic exercise to help students in an introductory geography course on the college level understand the geography of world affairs. The activity involved students in creating a diagrammatic map commensurate with amount of news magazine coverage of various foreign countries. (Author/DB)

Discusses the use of advance organizers in elementary geography instruction. Asserts that maps and globes can be used as advance organizers to improve learning about geographic locations and regions. Provides two classroom activities with accompanying data charts to illustrate the technique. (CFR)

Researchers assessed geographic literacy in 300 college students, comparing a variety of demographic and academic factors to levels of geographic literacy. Findings reveal weak relationships between some of the academic factors and geographic competence. However, very powerful relationships are evident between geographic literacy and race, age,…