This report supplements a 1966 report measuring trends in the production of geography graduates (see related document SO 008 431). The statistical information in this report was collected from published sources and a questionnaire sent to geography department chairmen in 1971. The results of the questionnaire indicate a surplus of Ph.D. graduates…

This technical report describes a digital computer program on the spatial structure of agricultural production and how it can be used in economic geography courses. Chapters one through four, respectively, (1) examine the use of digital computers in the teaching of college geography, (2) analyze the von Thunen theory which postulates laws that…

In his introduction to the course, Issues in Economic Geography, the author surveys the profession of geography, reviewing its history and its function in today's society and making recommendations for a "rethinking" of geography. He states that positivism, the search for emperically verifiable knowledge that makes an objective science of some…

This is an instructional unit in cultural geography for the primary grades. The major objective of the unit, which is comprised of a Pupil Text/Workbook and Teacher Manual, is to develop the geographic concepts labeled resource and production. Teaching strategies used include the Pestalozzian method of asking leading questions to draw the students…

This technical paper was written with undergraduate geography students and instructors in mind. Its primary objective is to introduce readers to the first of urban simulations and to provide materials for utilizing simulation models. Contents are interdisciplinary oriented and contain seven chapters showing how simulation techniques may be…

An account of the evolution of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which set aside a major portion of the world's oceans as a common heritage of mankind, is presented. An examination of the Convention's precepts illustrates discussion questions for use with secondary or college students. (RM)

A survey found that secondary U.S. history textbooks provided the most coverage of propaganda and included the largest number of examples for student analysis. Very little coverage of propaganda was found in world geography and world history texts. A few government texts provided excellent coverage, but most gave the subject little attention. (RM)

The purpose of this study is to investigate elementary students' explanations of how physical features of the land influence the location of humanly defined structures including trade routes, such as the silk routes. The silk routes were a series of caravan trade routes that extended from Turkey to China and were located as far south as India and…

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…

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…

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…

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)

Provides a sequential set of instructions for creating a large playground map. Discusses the educational benefits of such a map, and suggests activities for using the map effectively. Stresses the usefulness of maps in teaching place identification, spatial patterns, and directional orientation. (RW)