There is a pressing need for increased attention to geographic education in Arizona. Geocentrism on the part of students, particularly Native Americans from isolated areas, presents learning difficulty. Teachers of social science and humanities in Arizona public schools and reservation schools should be required to complete courses in geographic…

People in the developing world worry about the shrinkage of forests and the scarcity of firewood. An international team of geographers assessed desertification and prepared a map. Students can analyze a simplified map and answer questions that will help them understand desertification. (AM)

A university geography teacher comments on a number of topics, including what got him interested in geography, geography's reputation, why we need regional geography, his teaching experience, and what can be done to improve geography instruction at the elementary and secondary levels. (RM)

Piaget's theory of development suggests that geographic education should be extended to preschool years when children begin to codify and systematize the world about them. Professional educators should be aware of restrictive environments and help discourage overly structured preschools. Preschool teachers should have training in geography…

The evolution of educational games during the 1960s and 1970s culminated in a renewed awareness of the nature and potential of games. Simulations and games are suitable for instruction in urban growth, environmental problems, and in decision making in general. (KC)

Job sharing is an employment alternative in which two qualified individuals manage the responsibilities of a single position. Discusses the barriers to and the potential, advantages, disadvantages, pitfalls, and challenges of job sharing. Focuses on job sharing in the geography profession. (Author/JN)

Analyzes the ekistics typology using a systemic approach and offers suggestions for improving the typology. A typology for environmental education is also proposed, accompanied by recommendations for organizing the "Journal of Environmental Education" to reflect the proposed organization of environmental education knowledge. (Author/WB)

Reports on a survey of vernacular regions on both intrastate and interstate scales recognized by a group of college students who are residents of Arkansas. By conducting a survey such as the one described in this paper and analyzing the results, students can acquire familiarity with vernacular regions. (RM)

Maintains that: (1) mapping skills in elementary school social studies classes should not be separated from life situations; (2) maps are tools that can be used to collect, store, and share information; and (3) the best way for pupils to learn about mapping skills is to combine map and globe activities with content, observation, and real life…

The vigorous growth of interdisciplinary graduate programs in public administration and the tight academic market for geographers suggest that geography instructors should consider positions in such departments. The author describes his teaching experience in a public administration program. (Author/KC)

Recommends ways in which teachers of geography on the high school and college level can decide which parts of the world are particularly suitable for study and can select appropriate issues and events to meet course objectives. Presents a list of 50 topics which are suitable for study from 1981 to 2000. (DB)

Presents tips on developing an internship program for geography students on the college level. Information is presented on program initiation, development, alternative approaches, advantages and disadvantages of various approaches, objectives, and program operation. (Author/DB)

A geographer and a teacher present 12 "action packs" to show you how to obtain your goals for geography instruction. (Editor/RK)

Reviews multimedia world atlas programs geared to a wide range of audiences and age groups, some of which are tailored for specific interests. Reviews of nine programs highlight their strong points and weaknesses. Ancillary material, such as manuals or teacher guides, is also evaluated. (SLD)

Because the Reagan and Bush administrations accentuated the negative about American schools, there was little mention of U.S. students' average performance on the geography part of the 1992 Second International Assessment of Educational Progress. On the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (1994), U.S. eighth graders finished slightly…