This article demonstrates how newspapers can be used to develop an understanding of current affairs and develop thinking skills. Three examples of current affairs articles along with learning activities which foster the development of thinking skills are included. (JDH)

Explores ideas about regional planning and provides a framework for developing a secondary level course on regional planning. Claims that such a course can help students understand more about the world around them and improve their attitude toward contributing to the management of change. (BR)

Defines Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as a major tool for environmental management throughout the world. Provides background to the EIA concept and describes how it might be used within secondary school geography as an integrative teaching device. Special emphasis is given to the new EIA/Seventh-Form syllabus currently being used in New…

This paper considers the origins of computer mapping, where it is today, and where it is headed in the future. The emphasis is on fundamental changes in cartography, the way geographers approach map portrayal of spatial data, and the use of maps in spatial problem solving that have resulted from computerization. (JDH)

Discusses the importance of integrating geography instruction across the curriculum so that geographic skills and knowledge are not relegated to one course. Examines process of linking geography with music, mathematics, science, language arts, and physical education to increase geographic knowledge. Offers additional ideas for integration in an…

Learning about the physical environment from computer simulation models is discussed in terms of three stages: exploration, experimentation, and calibration. Discusses the effective use of models and presents two computer simulations written in BBC BASIC, STORFLO (for catchment hydrology) and SLOPEK (for hillslope evolution). (Author/GEA)

Presents five day teaching unit on Michigan's experience with Principal Meridian and Base Line, attempting to focus on reality instead of ideal situations. Especially applicable in areas where rectangular land survey is employed, the unit focuses on the evolution of prime lines and the reading of surveyors' field notes. Provides for a field…

The second in a three-part geographical education series, this article focuses on human-environmental relations in the geographical area including Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea. The article examines how the historical and cultural roots of the people of Middle America have influenced their interaction with and modification of…

Models the creation of a complex mental geographic map to illustrate the geography teacher's instructional task to students. Cites 12 elements of a well-organized geography course that emphasizes spatial analysis, synthesis, and explanation of features and patterns that give geography its uniqueness among social science disciplines. (TRS)

Provides a brief synopsis of how geographic features molded transportation history in the United States. Special emphasis is put on the relationship between river transportation and the formation of towns. Included are examples which show how topographic maps illustrate why certain locations were chosen for settlements. (JDH)

Guidelines to help teachers in the United Kingdom know which television programs they may legally videotape are provided. Conditions attached to off-air recording of ITV, Channel 4, BBC, and BBC Open University Programmes are discussed. (RM)

Describes how a combination of mapping and techniques can be used as a basis for measuring and analyzing student locational awareness of California. The case study analysis reveals that there was considerable variation in students' accuracy and precision in locating places. Includes tables and maps. (TRS)

Describes a procedure for producing and presenting slides as an effective way to teach the interpretation of aerial photographs in the college classroom. (TRS)

Presents three solar access dilemmas requiring student analysis and decision making in order to develop skills that are transferable and applicable real-life public policy issues of geography. Developed for seventh-grade world geography course but equally applicable at higher grade levels. (TRS)

In this interview, geography professor Richard L. Morrill talks about his educational background, why the new geography was so successful, what he teaches, the teaching methods he uses, and why geography faculty should work within the university and local area to improve the posture of geography. (RM)