This set of teaching materials is geared toward students and teachers in grades 5-12 and focuses on the use of a geographic information system (GIS) to explore the world. The package consists of a booklet of instructional activities and background information about geographic information systems, a companion poster, and a software demonstration…

A world-wide effort to educate people regarding their relationship with the earth should include concepts that all facets of the earth's natural and cultural environments function in one interrelated system, the earth's eco-systems are fragile, people should depend on renewable resources, and limiting population growth is crucial. (Author/KC)

Notes the various and evolving definitions of the term "frontier" as it applies to border regions, advance settlements, and developing areas. Traces the idea of frontier back to its original meaning, provides a critical perspective on experiments for redefinitions of frontiers, and draws some conclusions from these redefinitions. (MJP)

Describes what is meant by border pedagogy stating that it focuses on the politics of difference, a central part of human geographical research. Discusses how this pedagogy and an alternative classroom culture were used when teaching a multicultural historical geography course, "Histories and Cultures of the Transatlantic." (CMK)

Discusses the challenges facing teachers with the introduction of the Advanced Placement (AP) human geography course and offers solutions for each of the challenges. Highlights issues such as: offering this course when it does not fit the prescribed curriculum, how to encourage students to enroll, and finding textbooks. (CMK)

Describes the differences which divide the social ecology movement and the Deep Ecology Movement. Discusses how each views population ecology, politics, natural resources, and ecological living. Calls for a unified ecological movement. (CW)

Explains a way to introduce geographic concepts concerning the Great Plains through nineteenth-century folksongs. Folksongs relate what is geomorphologically true and reveal values and attitudes that are true for the region and time. A geographic understanding includes both the human and physical aspects of the region. (GG)

Uses 1950-90 census data to examine population trends in six northern Plains and Rocky Mountain states. Finds that, except for the rural turnaround of the 1970s, metropolitan counties grew faster than nonmetropolitan; nonmetropolitan counties containing larger communities grew in all four decades; and counties with smaller communities lost…

Surveys of 267 newcomers to 6 rural parishes in Lancaster and Mid Devon (England) and interviews with 113 survey respondents revealed definitions of "the rural" as abstract social representations. Respondents' representations of the rural focused on the physical environment, contained many aspects of the "rural idyll," but also…

Urges a reassessment of Columbus's discovery of America to understand its importance, dispel myths, and determine from today's perspective its benefit or harm to humanity. Discusses the dispersion and dominance of European culture financed by American treasure. Considers the exchange of plant and animal species and resulting extinction of many.…

Discusses GTV, a computer software program that presents U.S. history from a geographic perspective. Lists resources and equipment necessary to make effective use of the program. Cites the program's possible integration with California's social studies classroom under the state social studies framework. (DK)

Explores the relationship between excessive immigration and environmental degradation. Explains the position that a stable United States population size is essential in prevention further deterioration of the natural resource base. Maintains that balancing immigration and emigration will be instrumental in balancing population with environment.…

Describes a doctoral student's experiences on a trip to Turkey. Discusses the Southeast Anatolia Project involving dam building on the headwaters of the Euphrates to provide electricity and irrigation. Suggests the experience as an example demonstration of complexities of human and environmental interaction and other themes of geography. (DK)

Urges emphasis on the economic and political aspects of geography to help students understand the relevance of geography in contemporary world situations. Presents activities to guide students into a study of developing countries. Focuses on population growth, distribution and movement, options for growing poor populations, and causes of uneven…

Contends that using qualitative methods in a research methods course presents several problems. Examines reasons why qualitative research is not accepted by some instructors and students. Provides suggestions for overcoming these objections. (CFR)