The meaning of objectives in geographic education and the need to structure objectives in some hierarchical manner are presented in this paper. Discussion in past years centered on the teaching of general objectives in geography classes. During the last twenty years, however, geography instructors realized that objectives may be at various levels…

Structuring geographical concepts so that they are intelligible to an uninitiated student is a recurrent problem in geography teaching. The subtle interrelationships between map distributions and analytical procedures are not intuitively clear, nor is it plainly evident that concise map analyses depend upon specific measures of distributions. This…

Different approaches to using computer-assisted instruction (CAI) in teaching geography are presented in this collection of papers. The first paper overviews the use of computers in undergraduate instruction. Next is a paper on a program at the University of Iowa which was designed to introduce students to some of the basic principles associated…

A university level class project which compared the historical weather conditions with the memories of local residents is described. (DE)

Four approaches to simulation games are described; the puzzle approach, the colleague consultation, the geometry approach, and the inquiry approach. A sample geography game suitable for eighth grade students is described in detail. (STS)

Reviews geographical images in selected fictional children's books on Florida. Discusses how Florida's natural environment and social geography lend themselves to children's books. (Author/AEM)

Presents thirteen tips for teaching geography that are useful for any type of presentation and audience. These tips stress the types of information that should be presented, how it should be presented, and what specifics of the information should be illuminated. (AEM)

Gilbert Grosvenor, editor of "National Geographic," is interviewed about the importance of geography for Americans. He claims our lack of geographic knowledge impedes our ability to act and compete in the world market as a world power and points out that geographic ignorance extends to people employed at high levels of government. (MD)

Describes the limitations of geography textbooks and tells how to overcome them by extending the instructional resources, devising more activities, and augmenting the textbook's descriptions. Illustrates the approach on a sample textbook passage which describes Australian suburbanites. (JDH)

Offers a list of ten suggestions designed to help new teaching assistants reduce potential problems and make teaching more enjoyable and effective. Among the suggestions: learn about instructional resources prior to teaching; ensure adequate preparation time; offer alternatives to the standard lecture format; and arrange for weekly supervisor…

Maintains that the study of catastrophic events should be given temporary precedence over the normal curriculum in order to help students understand the causes, consequences, and recovery alternatives, deal with trauma, and allay fear of recurrence and feelings of helplessness. Uses the May 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens to demonstrate how…

Reports the results of a study conducted to determine if selected English authors' writings concerning their experiences in childhood revealed a natural appetite for learning geography. Concludes that the evidence shows children are inherently interested in geography, but have often failed to have their interest stimulated and expanded by…

Reviews five statistics textbooks for use in geography courses, discussing the necessity of statistics in this area and the importance of presenting geographical perspectives and spatial problems. Concludes that all of the texts are disappointing, showing no improvement since 1980. Suggests alternative books and methods for teaching statistics in…

Examines the range of computing skills needed by geography students at the University of Leeds. Outlines resources needed for teaching computer skills including hardware, software, documentation and teachers. (Author/BSR)

Introduces the concept of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as an approach for integrating and synthesizing disparate information for use in the secondary geography and earth science curriculum. Reviews basic concepts and instructional approaches to familiarize teachers with the relative simplicity of GIS implementation. (Author/GEA)