Examines combined departments of geology and geography, a structure present at numerous 4-year institutions, using a survey of department chairs and heads. Explores the reasons behind the combined departments; advantages, challenges, and disadvantages of the structure; and steps taken by chairs to promote the success of their multidisciplinary…

Suggests that the problem of public space and the role that humanities disciplines play in both figuring and materializing space in higher education is lost in the debates about reform in the humanities. Defines "public space" as the multiple environments in which humanities disciplines attain their meaning and value. Proposes that literacy…

Presents a checklist for instructors preparing to teach a large geography lecture class. Suggests having enough supplies, especially paper for copying; ordering enough textbooks; making sure that seats have writing surfaces; writing out examination policies; and other time-saving management procedures. (GG)

The American International School in Mallorca, Spain, addressed students' appalling ignorance of geography without overhauling the curriculum. An innovative geography fortnight incorporating geographical places, terms, and concepts across the curriculum vastly increased students' knowledge and enthusiasm. (MLH)

Examines the concept of geographic regions by examining how the forces of culture, economics, and history carved Canada into distinct entities. States that a regional study of Canada could be carried out from either an environmental viewpoint or a human-land relationships perspective. (KO)

Briefly discusses the advantages of using literature to teach geography, and presents an annotated bibliography of 17 fiction and nonfiction books that may be used to develop an understanding of geography in children and young adults. The intended educational level of each book is included in its description. (CLB)

Results from a study of 180 Nigerian secondary school students indicate that of the three notetaking approaches examined, students who formed notes based on teacher-provided outlines achieved better results than those who formed their own notes or those who copied notes fully developed by the teacher. (IAH)

Describes a study of temperature variations over different surfaces in an urban campus setting. Explains that researchers sampled temperatures over grass, bare soil, gravel, concrete, and blacktop. Reports that grassy areas registered the highest morning temperatures and lowest afternoon temperatures. (SG)

Discusses the educational purpose of historical atlases and what teachers and students can expect to find in them. Describes two categories of atlas: (1) those containing text and pictures and (2) those with maps, titles, and brief introductory comments. Argues that the geographic circumstances of historical processes are important. Suggests that…

Structures of multiple education and knowledge systems can be recreated in maps, in a social cartography where the space of the social map reflects effects of social changes in real space. Such maps allow social research to escape from modernism's positivist restraints, improve comparative educators' understanding of the social milieu, and open…

Presents a series of five short stories for children that incorporate geographic concepts. Includes the concepts of region, boundaries, and grids. Suggests that the stories will help children master challenging concepts and vocabulary that in turn will increase their knowledge and self-esteem. (DK)

Suggests that creating, sharing, telling, and responding to stories fulfill many social, emotional, and psychological as well as intellectual needs. Suggests that investigating and communicating about young children's growing awareness of the world through fieldwork, map work, questioning and decision making underpins geographical activity. (RS)

Discusses symbolic geography inherent in the coupling of divergent visions of the imagined community of a nation. Investigates linguistic debates in Bulgaria during the last century to display various representations of Bulgarian language, each of which offered a particular version of the shape and scope of linguistic boundaries. (Author/VWL)

Reports on the author's visit to Australia as a scholar for the Australian Catholic University (ACU). Lists cultural and geographical facts about Australia, along with information on ACU. Discusses the dedication and professionalism of Australian Catholic educators, and details their contributions. (CW)

Compared experiences with group-based student projects in a Geographical Information Systems degree taught by one faculty member and in geography degree modules taught by another. Concludes that care must be taken in the design and execution of these projects to avoid problems that might reinforce myths about negative effects of team-based…