Presents a review of the National Geographic Society's campaign to upgrade the teaching of geography in U.S. schools. The campaign includes the development and dissemination of exemplary curriculum materials and a broad range of teacher training activities. Concludes that the U.S. is breaking new ground in facing the reality of geographic…

Notes the trend toward working with town planning authorities as a part of environmental education classes in the United Kingdom. Provides a teacher workshop designed to prepare secondary geography teachers for making such contacts by having them analyze and modify letters from four hypothetical scenarios. (JDH)

Maintains that teachers in kindergarten through twelfth grade are interested in improving their teaching of geography. Reviews the instructional improvement efforts of various state, regional, and national alliances, noting the high levels of community support and professional involvement by teachers at all levels. (JDH)

By critically reading Conan Doyle's "Sherlock Holmes," geography students can learn about the major beliefs, values, and fears of late Victorian England. The geographical scope of the work is discussed, as well as what the work tells us about beliefs concerning nature, environmental influence, and human nature of the period. (RM)

Presents tips to help geography educators at all levels set up a computer mapping laboratory. Discusses what a computer mapping laboratory is, needs and planning, software, hardware selection, and laboratory operation. (RM)

Notes that the story of George Washington's encampment at Valley Forge is seldom told without reference to the bitter cold winter Washington and his troops endured. Shows how to use historical reports of weather information to allow students to judge for themselves whether the winter at Valley Forge then was harsher than winters in the same area…

Describes in detail a person-centered approach to a college-level world geography course taught at St. Lawrence University (NY) which bases instruction mainly on the interests of students. Discusses how this method has enhanced the learning of world geography and helped professors avoid the pitfalls of content-centered, syllabus-oriented,…

Examines non-traditional teaching methods which emphasize groupwork and speaking skills, stating that they should be used in higher education geography courses because they enhance students' intellectual development and general employability. Discusses seven important principles for teaching these skills, arguing that these methods improve both…

Examines the function of maps in forming images of the world. States that maps are subjective, inaccurate portrayals of the earth in that they exhibit the biases of their makers and hence their cultures. Recommends viewing several maps or different projections to become aware of strengths and limitations of map types. Includes suggested teaching…

Proposes the adoption of a global constitution, similar to the U.S. Constitution, as a precondition for a peaceful planetary society. Explores the geographic roots of the U.S. Constitution and discusses the diffusion of federalism throughout the world. Advocates the teaching of global government theories in history, government, and geography…

Using computers in field classes makes it possible to do educationally-desirable things which are very difficult or impossible without their assistance. They allow students to have a much greater sense of involvement in the projects and a greater sense of achievement. Such advantages are illustrated by two exercises in which field class computing…

Notes that the recent outcry for geographic literacy often stresses place-location geography, the weakest argument for including geography in the elementary and secondary school curriculum. Maintains that K-12 geography courses must clearly define those skills, world patterns, and conceptual frames of reference that geographers consider essential…

In Marxist geography the relations that geography has traditionally analyzed--natural environment and spatial relations--are reviewed as outcomes of the mode of material production. To understand geographical relations, the social structure must also be examined. Marxist geography attempts to change the basic structure of society. (RM)

A computer modeling course in environmental systems and dynamics is presented. The course teaches senior undergraduates to analyze a system of interest, construct a system flow chart, and write computer programs to simulate real world environmental processes. An example is presented along with a course evaluation, figures, tables, and references.…

Concentrating on events in Canada during the last ten years, this article discusses the Quebec separatist movement and other strong regionalisms in Canada. Important processes involved with conflict and compromise within the Canadian state are examined. (RM)