"The Carrot Highway" is a 40-minute award-winning videotape that takes viewers on a whirlwind tour around the world to tell the story of the carrot. This videotape reveals the carrot in all its glory by cleverly integrating live-action, music, animation, videotape footage, and games. Viewers travel with a troupe of animated carrot characters to…

This ERIC Digest describes the development of the 1994 National Assessment of Educational Progress for geography and the results from that examination of geographic knowledge and skills of students in grades four, eight, and twelve. The assessment format utilized multiple-choice questions and constructed-response questions. Results were reported…

The Internet makes available an unparalleled, and seemingly unlimited, repository of resources and ideas for social studies teachers. This book provides guidance and explores how the Internet can become an essential element in a teacher's repertoire of tools for engaging students in social studies curriculum. Chapters in the book are: (1)…

At the present time, approximately 50% of the population of Guatemala is classified as indigenous, while in Mexico the figure is estimated to be between 10% and 15%. The figures are deceptive, however, since there is no legal definition of what constitutes an Indian in either country. This unit contains lessons that focus on indigenous groups in…

Virtual reality (VR) is a new computational paradigm that redefines the interface between human and computer. VR may result in a significant improvement over traditional instruction because it is not only a multimedia interactive tool but also a learning environment extremely close to reality. Few empirical studies have been done on the use of VR…

This guide to New Mexico social studies content standards and benchmarks provides a coherent structure to guide curriculum, instruction, and assessment. The first three content standards comprise the unifying concepts that were taken directly from New Mexico's Social Studies Competency Framework. These three content standards serve as the…

This annual review discusses works relevant to geographical education published in Europe, North America, Australia, Japan, and Africa. The journal is available from Edward Arnold (publishers) Ltd., 41 Bedford Square, London WC1B 3DQ England. (RM)

Explains how the audio-tutorial mastery learning system is applied to an introductory course in human geography. Describes the mastery learning procedures of self-pacing, explicitly stated objectives, and diagnostic tests. Considers possibilities of using procedures in more traditional instruction. Journal availability: see SO 507 262. (Author/CK)

Compares emphases of the American High School Geography Project with the West German curriculum development project. Notes the German project's stronger relationship to social issues and political education. Concludes that the German geography project has lost momentum, but that the ideas have reached most teachers. Journal availability: see SO…

Discusses three exercises for a home state course that tap the store of knowledge possessed by a classroom of home state residents. The exercises include a family migration history, a review of a home state novel, and a self-guided field trip. Includes exercise instructions and sample book list. (MJP)

Uses the example of a trail near Lancashire in Northern England to explore the educational values of rural trails. Maintains that studying trails can enhance the appreciation and teaching of conceptual matters as well as develop students' skills for informed observation and interpretation of field evidence. Includes an area map. (MJP)

Examines the importance and the various uses of the geographic concept of regions. Discusses the intersection between geography and such social and political phenomenon as the establishment of large nation states and the splintering of states into smaller units. Briefly describes several recent conflicts in geographic terms. (MJP)

Provides advice, models, and information concerning time management for higher education geography students. Reiterates the need for personal planning and scheduling. Addresses such issues as deadlines, reading time, field classes, work space, leisure time, and dissertations. Includes eight sample charts and schedules. (MJP)

Defines the New Wave movement in Australian teaching practices. Provides examples of ways in which it has enlivened the secondary curriculum by relating learning to the issues affecting the lives of young people. Argues that although the British national curriculum resists initiative of this type, there are ways to build on the Australian example.…

Discusses strategies used by two teachers for teaching geography to at-risk students to connect the subject matter to the student's lives. Includes techniques such as integrating music, art, language, employing simulations when teaching, using current events to improve students' reading skills, and utilizing computer technology. (CMK)