This article reports on current trends in geography instruction in Australia. It appeals for greater cooperation between "academic geographers" and geography teachers in the secondary schools. Concludes by voicing concern for improved geography instruction in the coming decade. (JDH)

Provides a brief history of the relationship between environmental education and geography. Describes the Geography 16-19 Project developed at the University of London Institute of Education, which stresses environmental issues and the quality of life instead of the kind of "academic" geography typically covered in courses at this level.…

Explains the importance of teaching a developmental planning course for secondary students. Reviews the rationale behind good planning strategies and states broad planning objectives and outlines how a secondary planning project could be developed. (BR)

Maintains that the teaching of traditional tropical agriculture through the presentation of large numbers of categories or types tends to overemphasize superficial differences at the expense of comprehending the inner essence of life as it exists for the majority of the world's farmers. Offers an alternative approach which claims to foster greater…

This paper presents a teaching module on the geographical aspects of war and peace for teachers who would like to incorporate these issues into their undergraduate courses but do not know where to begin, have limited preparatory time, or limited resources. Included is an extensive list of readings and audiovisual materials. (JDH)

States that the introduction of real, quantitative problems in classroom and field teaching improves scientific rigor and leads more directly to applied studies. Examines the use of problems in an introductory hydrology course, presenting teaching objectives and the full course structure to illustrate their integration with other teaching modes.…

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)

Reports on ideas generated by Fostering International Understanding through World Geography, a group which advocates using the world geography course to increase international understanding. Describes two possible course goals, identifies teaching techniques appropriate for each goal, and discusses ways that participants attempted to accomplish…

Provides concrete ideas for increasing the interest level of elementary and secondary students in geography. States that instruction must begin with the personal interests of students, and recommends such activities as using maps to trace the "geogeneology" of students, the origins of rock groups, athletic competitions, and natural disasters. (JDH)

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)

Water resources play a major role in the character of agricultural development in the arid western United States. This case study shows how thermal infrared imagery, which is sensitive to radiant or heat energy, can be used to interpret crop moisture content and associated stress in irrigated areas. (RM)

Reviews the life, theories, and influence of Alexander von Humboldt, the early nineteenth century founder of modern geography. Maintains that Humboldt's novel approaches to the study of landscape antiquities have value for contemporary students in cultural and historical geography. (JDH)

Many junior and senior high school students think that up and down are related to the directions north and south. Ways to correct this directional misconception of students are discussed. (RM)

"The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," a contemporary hit song by Canadian folksinger Gordon Lightfoot describing a shipwreck on Lake Superior in 1975, is used to illustrate how popular music can be used to teach geography to secondary students. Students analyze atlases, topographic maps, nautical charts, and weather maps. (RM)

Reasons why regional geography should play a vital role in the development of U.S. geography are discussed. In addition, problems facing regional geographers are examined. A revival of regional geography can be significantly strengthened if there is more effective communication between regional and scientific geographers. (RM)