Australian secondary school students' entitlement to a comprehensive geography education is vulnerable. This study investigates the extent to which Geography is being delivered across Australia by analysing survey data from 270 schools on geography teaching hours, mode of delivery, fieldwork, and senior provision. Nationally, Geography averages 54…

Digital technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can be innovative tools for learning when used in purposeful ways and embedded in sound pedagogical frameworks. The predominant skills stimulated through the use of GIS are querying, collecting, analysing and manipulating spatial data. In recent years, the financial, technological…

Describes the limitations of geography textbooks and tells how to overcome them by extending the instructional resources, devising more activities, and augmenting the textbook's descriptions. Illustrates the approach on a sample textbook passage which describes Australian suburbanites. (JDH)

This article demonstrates how newspapers can be used to develop an understanding of current affairs and develop thinking skills. Three examples of current affairs articles along with learning activities which foster the development of thinking skills are included. (JDH)

This article provides an overview of the instructional design principles underlying the effective use of graphic communication devices in geography texts. The topics covered include labelling, figure-ground relationships, signs and symbols, legends and keys, and graphic integrity. Includes graphic examples. (JDH)

This article explores the principles of structuring student classroom and library research. It is presented in the form of a workshop activity suitable for use in a geography department staff workshop. (JDH)

Presents active learning strategies that utilize visual images, in particular photographs, to promote learning in geography. Explains that the six activities focus on Vietnam. Uses the photographs to encourage students to engage with the images to promote better observation skills. (CMK)