Reports on a research study in which college students used a statistical ordination method to reveal relationships among plant community structures and physical, disturbance, and spatial variables. Concludes that polar ordination helps students understand the methodology of plant geography and encourages further student research. (CFR)

Criticizes the use of map coloring as an activity for teaching geography. Acknowledges that many teachers use it because it was how they were taught. Argues that children are inherently interested in geography and can be taught geographic skills in elementary school if the materials are presented well prepared. (DSK)

Argues that students with limited high school geography education may identify regional courses with typical geography, and that these courses may play a significant role in recruiting geography majors. Discusses the role of a regional course in a geography curriculum and the structuring of the course to avoid common instructional deficiencies.…

Argues that introductory texts in population geography overlook many important issues and current debates. Suggests that teaching population geography would benefit from reading and discussing Malthus' actual words; examining fertility dynamics and influences on reproductive choice; and considering gender issues. Presents a classroom activity to…

Examines prior learning in physical geography of two cohorts of students on entry to a geography program in the United Kingdom. Identifies differences in comprehension of terminology and topic coverage based on secondary school curricula. Notes a dilemma for instructors of first-year courses trying to meet the varied backgrounds of their students.…

Provides background information on Andrew Clark specifically addressing his work in geography while in New Zealand in order to place Clark's 1941 paper entitled "A Philosophy of Geography for New Zealand Schools" into intellectual context by emphasizing links between this paper and his later work. Provides his 1941 paper in full. (CMK)

Presents an activity in which students construct models to explain glacial action. Describes the models, which recreate specific glacial processes, and discusses 11 glacial actions. Students examine the economic implications of glaciation and use maps to identify the locations and effects of glaciers. (CMK)

Reviews surveys concerning the attitudes of San Marcos (Texas) school children toward geography in 1983 and 1993. Shows that they generally ranked geography low on their list of favorite subjects; however, discerns statistically significant improvement in the popularity of geography over the decade, tentatively associated with more active learning…

Considers the geographical issues involved in industrial disputes as a means for teaching economic geography. Highlights the 1998 dispute between General Motors (GM) and the United Auto Workers (UAW). Explains how to use the GM/UAW dispute to teach economic geography. Discusses Internet resources. (CMK)

Suggests that scoring criteria should be used in order to reduce teacher subjectivity in scoring classroom assessments. Describes scoring criteria as specific expectations made clear in task instructions used to evaluate student work. Provides an example assessment task for high school geography and addresses three common teacher errors. (CMK)

Maintains that utilizing the Internet in geography education changes the learning paradigm from the traditional lecture hall to a technology-rich, constructivist environment. Addresses the opportunities this paradigm offers for improving teaching and learning. Discusses the Colorado Geography-Web Project at the University of Colorado in which the…

Highlights the social construction of scale on the Internet and how some scale relationships are represented in web-based visual images. Maintains that web sites contain story lines that can act as guides through these scale representations. Shows the need for a "visual grammar" that will enable people to understand the logic behind the Internet.…

Focuses on "Context," a national center and network promoting the use of case materials and simulations in higher education and employment for increasing the work-readiness of graduates. Describes the main elements of the Seatons case study developed in collaboration with the Environmental Agency. (CMK)

Discusses the analytical processes and outcomes of a doctoral study in environmental education that investigated teachers' thinking and practice regarding the contributions of geography teaching to students' environmental education. (Contains 33 references.) (DDR)

Presents a unit on volcanoes and experiences with volcanoes that helps students develop geography skills. Focuses on four volcanoes: (1) Rangitoto Island; (2) Lake Pupuke; (3) Mount Smart; and (4) One Tree Hill. Includes an answer sheet and resources to use with the unit. (CMK)