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Global news with a spatial perspective: Interesting, current supplemental materials for geography students and teachers. http://geographyeducation.org
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Seth Dixon
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Geocube
"Geocube is an attractive online resource about Geography. Geocube is based on the principle of the Rubik Cube with six faces and 54 topics. It is a virtual and easily accessible website which is available online for free. Move the Geocube around with your mouse and explore the faces and topics.Geocube provides an accessible way to read, see and watch what Geography is and geographers do."
Seth Dixon's insight:
This interactive resource is worth exploring and letting students explore it at home or within a computer lab environment. Geocube isn't just a single random link; Geocube is a portal to numerous topics, regions and themes that allows the user to explore what geography is without being constrained to do so in a linear fashion. Having been voted by the American Association of School Librarians as one of the "Top 25 websites for Teaching and Learning," Geocube comes highly recommended, and rightfully so. This is a must-see as it puts the world of geography at your fingertips.
Maricarmen Husson's comment,
April 14, 4:41 PM
I've recentli open it, is a good resourse for students and every peoples who likes geography
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Seth Dixon's insight:
Google Earth is a great teaching tool for geographers, but it is also a way to bring geography and spatial thinking to other disciplines. Google Lit Trips makes the journeys that take place in literature (both fiction and non-fiction) all the more real by mapping out the movements as a KML file that can be viewed in Google Earth. By embedding pictures, websites, videos and text into the path, this becomes an incredibly interactive resource for teachers of all levels.
Tags: google, virtual tours, English, edtech.
Ann-Laure Liéval's curator insight,
March 17, 7:51 AM
Utiliser Google Earth pour cartographier l'itinéraire de personnages de fiction, afin de mêler géographie et littérature.
GoogleLitTrips Reading List's comment,
March 19, 10:30 PM
I'm very appreciative. Thanks! Jerome, GoogleLitTrips.com
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SimCityEDU - Create & Share SimCity Learning Tools
Seth Dixon's insight:
I will confess that I have personally never played SimCity, but I do know educators that have tapped into that gaming experience to teach spatial thinking and some principles of urban planning. This link is designed with those teachers in mind.
Tags: urban, planning, spatial, unit 7 cities, edtech.
Jamie Strickland's comment,
March 11, 2:36 PM
I played the original when it first came out--it was a lot of fun to watch the city grow and change. I had a colleague that used one of the more recent versions in his land use planning course. This will be interesting to poke around in.
Leslie G Perry's curator insight,
March 11, 9:20 PM
It's all about gaming to help them get connected. I heard a story from a colleague today. He said that every year at this school, an veteran would come and talk to the students about the military and World War II but students really didn't get it. So the next year, he had them all play Call of Duty right before the veteran visited the school. He had them storm the beaches of Normandy (on the hardest level). They all failed. The next time the veteran came to speak, they were animated and asking questions about how could they have managed such a feat.
Seth Dixon's comment,
March 12, 4:43 PM
The game is getting more sophisticated: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/02/26/simcity-is-smarter-than-you-even-if-you-re-an-urban-planner.html
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"Learn how advances in geospatial technology and analytical methods have changed how we do everything, and discover how to make maps and analyze geographic patterns using the latest tools."
Seth Dixon's insight:
When I was a graduate student at Penn State, I was introduced to some great people and programs and I'm glad to see that the institution has continued to excel and be a leader. You have probably heard of MOOCs (Massive Open Online Course) and been interested in seeing how this might change higher education in the future. This MOOC is a free 5-week course designed to be an introduction to mapping, GIS and geospatial technologies so you don't need to be a specialists with a mapping background: it's for beginners. I know that many geography teachers tell their students about GIS, but are afraid to teach with GIS because they are worried that it will be too hard. This is an easy on-ramp to 21st century geospatial tools and any geography teacher hoping to modernize their skillset would do well to take this summer course fromthe Program of Online Geospatial Education at Penn State, taught by Dr. Anthony Robinson. For more information on this, see this annoucement from Directions Magazine and from Penn State News.
Tags: GIS, teacher training, mapping, cartography, geospatial, edtech, geography education, unit 1 GeoPrinciples.
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30-second animation of the changes in U.S. historical county boundaries, 1629 - 2000. Historical state and territorial boundaries are also displayed from 178...
Seth Dixon's insight:
I love this time-lapse animation of all the county and state-level boundary changes in United States history. Would you like to see this in greater detail? Would you want to download the data and create your own visualization of this? The Atlas of Historical County Boundaries has all of this data as GIS shapefiles, Google Earth KMZ files and PDFs for the whole country as well as for each individual state. This project sponsored by The Newberry and the National Endowment for the Humanities has tremendous potential for use in the classroom for history and geography teachers alike.
Tags: historical, USA, borders, time lapse, mapping, edtech.
Sam Capron's curator insight,
January 30, 3:01 PM
What I find to be the most interesting aspect of this animation is that each fluctuation of the border has a story behind it. You could teach a really interesting class on just those small changes, and why they took place.
Betty Klug's curator insight,
April 27, 3:50 PM
I love animation maps. Great for getting students interested in learning.
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Seth Dixon's insight:
You've seen the this image as a static map, as a video and as an adjusted cartogram here before. This link is especially intriguing because this same data has been added to Google Maps so a user can interactively explore this layer and compare it to daytime satellite imagery or a standard map (it can also be seen on an interactive globe on http://www.geteach.com/ ).
The first impulse of most students is to note when analyzing this image is to note that the map will show us where people live, where the cities are or some other comment that speaks to the magnitude of the population in the white areas. Let them analyze this for more time, and they'll notice that population isn't the whole story of this image. A place like India shines, but less brightly than the eastern part of the United States. I like to point out that South Korea appears to be an island (because North Korea is literally blacked out). Politics, development, affluence and population information are all embedded in this image. As with all maps, the more information you have about the place in question (in this case, Earth), the more meaningful information you can extract out of the map.
Tags: remote sensing, images, mapping, cartography, geospatial, edtech, geography education, unit 1 GeoPrinciples.
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Seth Dixon's insight:
Some of the best free professional development opportunities are found online as educators develop Personal Leaning Networks (PLN). This is a sampling of important voices from my PLN, with important links, updates and perspectives--so glad to be a part of your PLNs!
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Play the Global development game: identify the world's countries and territories, rank them according to GDP then fingers at the ready for the picture round
Seth Dixon's insight:
This game is not as simple as it may appear. The first round challenges you to be able to recall basic facts, the second has you comparing countries while the third asks you about global current events. Hopefully geography education around the world can get past that '1st round' and into deeper content. Good luck (Hint: use a computer with a mouse since locating the countries on the map is a timed activity).
Adrian Bahan (MNPS)'s curator insight,
March 12, 12:07 AM
Ughhhhhh, this is addicting. Must stop playing. Must keep playing so I can beat JC.
Prada Mani's comment,
April 19, 5:04 AM
Think U know the world well enough? visit http://www.unn.edu.ng/department/geography and test yourself....
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Global news with a spatial perspective: resources for educators and the inherently inquisitive.
I recently revamped the layout for my 'Geography Education' scoop.it site. I hope it adds to the experience.
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Free travel tip and photos from all over the world...
Seth Dixon's insight:
This map is not a professionally produced map and that is the beauty of this website. Virtually anyone can make a 1-feature world map by simply clicking on a checklist all the countries you want highlighted on your map. Second, opened the file and added some text and a few lines to label it. This took 20 minutes to make with no need for any cartographic or GIS experience (this PNG didn't compress well, the full image of this map can be seen here).
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Using addresses you input and your choice of icons, we add your child’s favorite places to a custom neighborhood map that includes real cartographic features, such as street names and north arrow.
What happens when a city planner becomes a parent? Kids Placemaps! Combining cartographic expertise and a desire to start geography education at a very early age, the founders of Kids Placemaps have personalized a child's geography in a tangible, simple fashion.
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"Google Maps Engine makes it easy for you to create beautiful maps, share them with others, and reach your audience no matter where they are. It's built on the same platform that provides Google services to millions of people worldwide, so your users have a consistent and familiar experience wherever they are."
Seth Dixon's insight:
Google has become more and more involved with geospatial technologies and platforms. This new Maps Engine (still in beta testing) appears to be Google entry into the world of GIS. Maps Engine is not nearly as robust as ArcGIS Online or even Google Earth and it has many limitations (can't upload a CSV file with more than 100 data points, can't use KML or shapefiles, no archive of ready-made layers, etc).
It's redeeming value lies in the simplicity of the platform; if all you want to do is draw your own points, lines and polygons on top of a map and be able to get started within 30 seconds, then this is worth exploring. Those features are incredibly intuitive and user-friendly and I foresee various educational possibilities using this in the classroom, but am still 'test-driving' the platform.
Tags: google, GIS, geospatial, edtech, K12.
Johani Karonen's curator insight,
May 8, 4:08 AM
I love maps! Let's se what this little darling can do.
Francisco Javier 's curator insight,
May 12, 8:51 PM
Google Maps Engine | @scoopit via @APHumanGeog http://sco.lt/...
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Grant Thrall, Ph.D., pioneered a new field of study — business geography — at the University of Florida.
Business geography involves using sophisticated technologies to interpret and analyze data to help businesses make decisions.
Seth Dixon's insight:
I understand that my readers are not people that I need to convince the geo-literacy is an essential component for a 21st century education; but we are the people that need to convince principals, politicians, school administrators, teachers and parents that teaching geography is fundamental. Consider this an accessible article to use to make the case for geography for someone who sees the educational value from a business perspective.
Tags: edtech, unit 1 GeoPrinciples, geo-inspiration, geography education, models, spatial.
Tony Hall's curator insight,
April 15, 9:43 PM
While I find business quite boring, I do understand it's necessity. I think this illustrates very nicely the relevance of studying geography and how it relates to the "real" world.
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Free site dedicated to help teachers educate and engage students using Google Earth
Seth Dixon's insight:
GE Teach is a phenomenal site, designed by an AP teacher to bring geospatial technologies into the classroom in a way that is incredibly user-friendly. This site allows you to use Google Earth with clickable layers. With multiple data layers of physical and human geography variables, this interactive globe puts spatial information in powerful, yet fun, student-inspired platform. Click here for a video tutorial.
Tags: google, virtual tours, geospatial, edtech.
Kristen McDaniel's curator insight,
March 29, 9:54 AM
Use Google Earth in the classroom with clickable layering of maps. Great for bringing Geography into your classroom!
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Video of a sandbox equipped with a Kinect 3D camera and a projector to project a real-time colored topographic map with contour lines onto the sand surface. ...
Seth Dixon's insight:
Many of our first experiments of creating landforms and designing a new world started in the sandbox. This video shows how that early childhood activity can make for an excellent classroom demonstration to shows how Earth's physical systems work. If you happen to have a digital topographic map to superimpose on the sandbox and a GPU-based water simulation, then you've got this fantastic video. Click here to learn more about this UC Davis project on the visualization of lake ecosystems.
Tags: water, physical, geomorphology, landforms, visualization.
David Ricci's comment,
April 22, 3:40 PM
I actually watched this video the first time we went to the computer lab in gauge just because it caught my eye. I think that this is a cool way to show different landforms and how some of the ecosystems processes work with and around them. I feel that this video encompasses geography as a whole. Seeing the way that the water falls around the mountain made in the video and where it ends up pooling is a good example of natural geography. When looking at the area the lake is now centered a viewer can see where a potential colony or group of people may live in this are. This all depends on closeness to resources such as water, arable land, and potential food supplies. All of this depends on the physical occurrences that you can see in this video. This video also helps to tie in the lesson in class about geomorphology. The creation of dremmels by glaciers, runoff from the mountains, and plate tectonics. These topics can be taught through a power point, but it really helps to see all of this created and the process it takes.
Brianna Simao's comment,
April 30, 10:28 PM
This is a cool way to show the different landforms and the potential use of the surrounding area. It shows us where people could migrate to and start a community and the resources it may have. It also shows the geomorphology of how the landforms were made. I agree with David when he says that these topics can be taught through a power point but to get a real understanding of how they are created and the process it takes, this is the best way to learn.
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App-ly Yourself to Tackle Today's Scientific Challenges
Seth Dixon's insight:
The United States Geologic Survey (USGS) scientists are encouraging app developers and earth scientists to design creative apps that will aid researchers in tackling the important questions. USGS datasets include biogeographical, vegetation and land cover change data. Submissions will be judged on their relevance to today’s scientific challenges, innovative use of the datasets, and overall ease of use of the application. Prizes will be awarded to the best overall app, the best student app, and the people’s choice. Do you have an idea?
Tags: physical, ecology, visualization, biogeography, edtech.
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Cornerstone Christian school 7th grade science project. The effects of Altitude on air pressure and temperature. Cameras: GoPro Hero2 video footage. Edited B...
Seth Dixon's insight:
This is the coolest Junior High geospatial technologies project ever. This actually recorded some nice remotely sensed images. You can actually do something similar yourself with this balloon kit. You can read about some successful attempts to do this with geography students and colleagues from @AndrewShears which can be seen here and another by @bricker that is worth looking at here.
Tags: remote sensing, images, geospatial, edtech, geography education, unit 1 GeoPrinciples.
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Seth Dixon's insight:
The Review of International Geographical Education Online (RIGEO) has recently published a new issue that contains this article about GIS education. While geographers promote GIS education, we need to study the impact, efficacy and pedagogy of GIS education more seriously as we plan for the future.
Tags: GIS, mapping, cartography, geospatial, edtech, geography education.
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Their expense has so far made them rare, but with prices coming down, these glowing, programmable spheres are set to become more common.
Seth Dixon's insight:
Due to the expense, only science centers and major museums can afford these digital globes that we see in futuristic movies. However, as with all new technologies, the price will drop as it is refined and made available for larger market, even if that time is still a ways off. If this were available in your classroom, it would be splashy, but how much added value would it bring? What kind of lessons could you teach with this?
Tom Perran's curator insight,
January 11, 6:21 PM
Very exciting development in classroom technology!
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Seth Dixon's insight:
This set of 19 short essays (around 3-4 pages each) is a great supplemental text. I am eager to read them and other resources in the ESRI library.
Tags: GIS, ESRI, mapping, cartography, geospatial, edtech, geography education, unit 1 GeoPrinciples.
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"See Rome as it looked in 320 AD and fly down to see famous buildings and monuments in 3D. Select the 'Ancient Rome 3D' layer under Gallery in Google Earth."
Seth Dixon's insight:
What happens whe you teach ancient historical geography using modern geospatial technologies? Great things can happen and new perspectives on the world can open up for students and teachers alike.
Tags: historical, google, virtual tours, Italy, geospatial, edtech.
Reneé Windle's curator insight,
May 1, 10:44 PM
This is a really interesting way to visualise what Ancient Rome looked like thousands of years ago and to learn about some of Rome's most historical landmarks in relation to the Roman Empire.
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Although these were designed specifically for GIS day during Geography Awareness Week, these 2 excellent map-based treasure hunts from ESRI are great any time of year. The answer to the question will only pop up in you are zoomed in the the right region (SHIFT + Make a box = Zoom to area). These links will take you to the World Cities quiz and also to the Mountains quiz.
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Finding Materials: This site is designed for geography students and teachers to find interesting, current supplemental materials. To search for place-specific posts, browse this interactive map. To search for thematic posts, see http://geographyeducation.org/thematic/ (organized by the APHG curriculum). Also you can search for a keyword by clicking on the filter tab above.
Staying Connected: You can receive post updates in the way that best fits how you use social media.
Update Notifications: Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Google+.
Email: Click 'follow' button at top right of this page.
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This podcast explains the MOOC Maps and the Geospatial Revolution. It is designed to be an easy on-ramp to 21st century geospatial tools and any geography teacher hoping to modernize their skillset would do well to take this summer course from the Program of Online Geospatial Education at Penn State, taught by Dr. Anthony Robinson. Click here to register for free.
Tags: GIS, teacher training, mapping, cartography, geospatial, edtech, geography education, unit 1 GeoPrinciples.