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

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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 informationTeach geographic concepts

Use data, maps, and geospatial technologyAsk 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.

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http://sco.lt/5kaL0j

A spatial perspective is not just for geographers

spatial mapping map projections

The Global becomes Local

http://sco.lt/5mmMIz

Understanding Conflicts

How can competent teachers help students understand a complex

interconnected world?

Provide geographic informationTeach geographic concepts

Use data, maps, and geospatial technologyAsk questions which encourage spatial thinking.

Geographic Literacy