The field of social studies is unique and complex. It is challenged by the differing perspectives related to the definition, goals, content, and purpose of social studies. Contemporary Social Studies: An Essential Reader discusses the contemporary issues surrounding social studies education today. Contemporary Social Studies: An Essential Reader…

In an increasingly competitive economy, the capacity for self-motivation, problem-solving skills and an ability to think critically are core graduate attributes. However, the capacity to create an educational environment that develops and harnesses such skills is a distinct challenge as resources become increasingly restricted. Geographical Skills…

Programs in geographic information systems (GIS) and related areas (e.g., GPS, remote sensing) have become important additions to the curriculum at colleges and universities of all sizes and types, including tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) such as Haskell Indian Nations University. This article discusses the recent development of a GIS…

Films are often used in schools to illustrate geography, but doing so may favor mainly passive learning. An experiment with twenty-eight pupils aged thirteen years (a whole class) had the aim of using cinema to promote active geographical learning. First, it was ascertained what the dominant geographical stereotypes were among the pupils and the…

Asserts that the national geography standards must be relevant to everyone associated with educational reform. Argues that the special advantage enjoyed by geography during the Reagan-Bush administrations is slipping away. Suggests that one way for geography to demonstrate its relevance is to strengthen its ties with environmental education. (CFR)

Excursions are extremely important to the education of students in the geography curriculum. However, personal observations demonstrated a lack of readiness to conduct excursions in secondary schools. This apprehension of the teachers in this school to implement excursions in geography education was the basis for this study. The study addresses…

This paper reports on a small-scale pilot study undertaken at a secondary school in England, exploring how children learn about and construct distant places. Using drawings, concept mapping and interviews, the research examines the process of learning about Brazil over a period of formal learning, and how teaching and resources influence…

This paper presents findings from research into students' perceptions and experiences of geography fieldwork. The study focused on Year 9 students (13-14 years) from three state secondary schools in urban northern England. Geography fieldwork, depending on its conceptualisation and implementation, has the potential to provide students with a wide…

In this case study, the work of an exemplary high school social studies teacher is highlighted. In her class, late-arrival immigrant students participated in oral, writing, and demonstration activities as they learned the physical, cultural, and historical traditions of geography education. As newcomers to the English language, the students'…

The organization and content of an introductory human geography course instituted at Mansfield State University (Pennsylvania) to interest students in a geography major and possible geography career is described. Organized around basic geography "co-traditions," the course begins by examining geography's origin, purpose, and relation to other…

In university level geography education, both a market and a need exist for "learning trips" combining the elements of a field trip with those of a commercial tour. Planning such trips involves four steps. The first of these is to establish the conditions of the tour, including identification of the topical focus, specific destinations and sites…

Geographic concepts are central to environmental education and place geographers in a position to coordinate environmental education. Geographers are admonished to assume that responsibility as they carry out their roles as educators. (JH)

This document outlines the roles and responsibilities of teaching assistants and gives suggestions for making their initial contact with teaching easier. Teaching assistants can overcome first-job apprehension by acquiring information about the assignment through the course instructor, faculty advisor, and other teaching assistants. Benefits…

A study of toy-play mapping by three-, four-, and five-year-old children demonstrates that children can clearly represent a cognitive map at the age of three. Mapping, therefore, is developmentally primitive and formal map learning can begin at the age of school entrance. (JH)