Presents background information and activities which focus on definition of a desert, locations of deserts, and factors influencing locations. Activities include objective(s), recommended age level(s), subject area(s), list of materials needed, and procedures. Two ready-to-copy pages with desert landforms and temperature/rainfall data are…

The role of British external examiner in regulating standards in first degree college courses is discussed. A personal view is given of the examiner's current role in geography departments. Consideration is given to the examiner's potential role in the higher education debate on standards and quality comparison. (Author/TRS)

The relationship between eight skills and one concept used on maps and their companion spatial abilities in mathematics are presented and discussed: symbols, perspective, location, direction, distance, relief, elevation, scale, and territoriality. (MNS)

The results of a 1983-84 survey to determine the number and content of energy courses in geography at the college level are presented. The study revealed that 34 courses dealing almost exclusively with energy were offered in geography departments on 28 campuses. A wide variety of content was found. (RM)

Describes and reviews commercially-available computer software for social studies (SS). They are: "Jury Trial II" (utilizes artificial intelligence); "Africa" (utilizes creative graphics to teaching SS facts; "Revolutions: Past, Present and Future"; "The Other Side" (examines world peace using values…

Simple but innovative strategies that fourth-grade California teachers can use for building student knowledge of California geography while reinforcing map skills throughout a typical fourth-grade state studies curriculum are presented. (RM)

Self-reliance as an economically viable strategy to achieve a reliable food supply is examined. Selected geographical and social factors that help to explain why food self-reliance in Zambia has not been achieved are then considered. Developments that have the potential to ensure Zambian food self-reliance are then discussed. (RM)

Described is a map game for middle elementary grade students. The game has four objectives: (1) teaching geographical locations, (2) using map symbols, (3) applying the concept of scale, and (4) developing map-reading skills. (RM)

Discusses how analytical behavioral geography can be taught at all levels of education. Fundamental concepts and principles of behavioral geography are examined including course content, models of man, models of the environment, perception and cognition, information diffusion and adoption, space preferences, and time-path analysis. (Author/RM)

The Immigration and Naturalization Service's (INS) 1-213 forms can be used by educators to help students analyze Mexican origin patterns and U.S. intraurban patterns. Data from the San Antonio INS district show that while migrants are coming in greater numbers, they are not social and economic burdens. (RM)

Survey results of K-12 teachers showed that while the National Council for Geographic Education does meet the needs of many teachers, the organization should do much more to address teachers' interests and needs. For example, more articles for K-12 students and teachers should be included in the Journal of Geography. (RM)

In Germany during the 1970s, a largely descriptive and encyclopedic approach to geography instruction was replaced by a global approach which used world regions as vehicles for examining themes. The role of three instruments of curriculum change--an official syllabus, a textbook series, and a curriculum project--is examined. (Author/RM)

A diagrammatic model that illustrates the nature of urban growth processes and their resultant physical form is presented. The model can be used to describe attributes of urban form in the preindustrial city or to provide a framework for studying contemporary patterns of development. (RM)

Discusses the formation, types, and climatic characteristics of deserts. Includes maps showing major deserts on every continent. (MLH)

Discusses efforts to determine the future of arid lands using climatic data of the past and present. (MLH)