Geography Education in the Era
of Globalization:
Answering the Questions that Matter
The truth…if you always lived in San Diego
What is this item called?
Truths can be spatially contingent
GEOGRAPHICAL CLASSIFICATION
World
Realms
Regions
Neighborhoods
Globalization has made the world ‘flat’
• Geography has been conquered
• Place is increasingly less relevant
Place still matters
Distance and Time
Regions are increasingly interconnected
Global News Demands Geographic Context
Diverse cultural understanding needed
• Army training
Geography Education in the Era
of Globalization:
Answering the Questions that Matter
Geography education is not…
How can competent teachers help
students understand a complex
interconnected world?
Provide geographic information
Teach geographic concepts
Use data, maps, and geospatial technology
Ask questions which encourage spatial thinking.
Geographic Literacy
1. Provide geographic information
Environmental changes require
holistic, systemic thinking
2. Teach geographic concepts
3. Use data, maps, and geospatial technology
Geography integrates Social Studies
4. Ask questions which encourage spatial thinking.
A spatial perspective is not just for geographers
spatial mapping map projections
The Global becomes Local
Understanding
Conflicts
How can competent teachers help
students understand a complex
interconnected world?
Provide geographic information
Teach geographic concepts
Use data, maps, and geospatial technology
Ask questions which encourage spatial thinking.
Geographic Literacy

Choices Program-China 2014

Editor's Notes

  • #22 The cultural is political.  The demographic is economic.  The urban and the rural are not mutually exclusive.