Describes the use of primary source documents and maps in a seventh-grade geography class. Maintains that 90 separate topics were divided into 6 main categories for student research. Asserts that the use of primary documents encouraged the development of the students' critical thinking skills. (CFR)

Asserts that the use of instructional media has been a hallmark attempt to enliven social studies teaching. Maintains that little attention has been paid to the integration of music and song into the social studies curriculum. Presents a list of music resources that can be used to teach location and other geographic concepts. (CFR)

Asserts that teaching report writing to students is a difficult task. Discusses four dimensions of student report writing and emphasizes the importance of visual aids to help students comprehend the material on which reports are based. Describes semantic webbing and cooperative groups to teach outlining and report writing. (CFR)

Discusses use of student-led seminars as tool for developing leadership skills when assessed as part of grade for urban geography course. Emphasizes instruction and student dissatisfaction with seminars that are not assessed. Concludes that such seminars increase students' confidence in oral communication and enhance credentials on job…

Presents the National Council for Geographic Education statement on the geography component of preservice teacher education. Includes standards for all teachers, those of social studies, specific disciplines and methods courses within the social studies, elementary and early childhood teachers. Discusses increasing emphasis on geography in the…

Presents the National Council for Geographic Education statement on the geography component of preservice teacher education. Includes standards for all teachers, those of social studies, specific disciplines and methods courses within the social studies, elementary and early childhood teachers. Discusses increasing emphasis on geography in the…

Discusses recommendations for the change of social studies curricula made by the National Commission on Social Studies in the Schools (NCSSS). Suggests that classroom impact of the report will depend on who likes, who opposes, and who is apathetic to the recommendations. Argues that tradition, state control of public education, and the textbook…

Presents a two-week lesson designed to begin a year-long world geography course. Provides background and information on the Age of Discovery and the study of geography. Includes maps, study guides, and student readings. (CFR)

Presents a 3-4 day lesson designed to be used in U.S. history or geography classes. Discusses the cultural effects of the encounter between Europeans and the indigenous peoples of the Americas. Includes maps, student readings, and recommended instructional resources. (CFR)

Asserts that college students often do not understand or appreciate the way that the mass media construct images of place. Describes a day-long simulation exercise in which students work on journalistic teams sent to an unfamiliar location to report on its landscape and environment. (CFR)

Presents an overview of the 1994 National History Day project and its theme, "Geography in History: People, Places, Time." Includes a list of suggested History Day topics linked to broad historical themes. Provides a 17-item bibliography of resources for students working on History Day projects. (CFR)

Describes the introduction of computer-based assessment (CBA) in a first-year module in geographical data analysis, and evaluates student opinion and performance in response to this. Finds that students generally reacted positively and that overall module evaluations improved; student interest and examination performance (based on average test…

Two evaluations of video programs that involved groups of learners interacting with LaserVision software are presented. One concerns counselling skills for student teachers. The other is a geography simulation program. Program structure, group interaction, and the role of the instructor are discussed. Learners in both studies found the visual…

A project to improve students' essay writing on a first-year college geography course is described. Students attended a preparatory workshop in which they helped to generate criteria, and self and peer assessment were supervised and regulated. Project success was evaluated based on analysis of marks, student feedback, and staff opinion.…

Maintains that region familiarity is an important prerequisite in the instructional use of cartograms. Cartograms are value-by-area maps that increase or decrease areas in order to illustrate various data (e.g. book reading in the western United States). Discusses necessary cognitive processes for the visualization of data. (MJP)