I just returned from the National Council for Geographic Education Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The purpose of this conference is for geographers, teachers of geography and those who have businesses related to or a passion for geography to get together to share information, research and experience about teaching geography to students from elementary school through college.
This was my first conference with NCGE, and quite a fascinating experience (especially from the perspective of a children’s travel book author.) Over 500 people attended from all over the USA and Canada and more than 210 workshops and sessions were offered over the course of 3 days. Here’s the gist of what I learned with the sessions I was able to attend:
- Lack of geography knowledge in the USA is an epidemic from elementary school, through the university level and beyond.
- Global and spacial thinking are paramount to not only education but to our nation’s political relationships with other countries.
- There are many exceptional software programs, lesson plans, books, events and more to help teachers and parents teach geography.
- Geography is not just about finding places on a map. It’s about people, cultures, plants, animals, weather, space, distance and so much more.
Specific sessions I attended:
- Rand McNally has just released a brand new and extremely impressive 22nd Edition of Goode’s World Atlas, the most phenomenal teaching atlas ever. Every geographer and teacher must have this. I’ve got one!
- National Geographic Society offers an extraordinary program for schools called Giant Traveling Maps. Floor maps the size of rooms are rented out to schools all over the USA for unforgettable lessons in geography.
- ESRI offers the world’s most comprehensive and advanced Geographic Information Systems to teach geography. You’ve got to try their software products to experience the benefits yourself.
- 3rd Grade teacher, Marilyn Pineda from Comanche Pubic Schools in Oklahoma shared how music and literature can be used effectively to teach geography. (This was right up my Lilly Badilly alley!)
- Two teachers, with great senses of humor, from the Mississippi Geography Alliance, Sandra K. Morgan and June Hollis, demonstrated how to use a large floor map, nursery rhymes and songs to teach US geography to elementary age children.
- Through Coppin State University and a generous grant from NASA, Dr. Doug Reardon told us how geography education is being transformed in West Baltimore, a low income area. The stories of the teachers in this district are inspiring and will set a standard for all those who long to bring geography into the classroom, for all schools in the USA.
- Dr. Cynthia Resor from Eastern KY University talked about how Place Based Education can help students learn about geography, starting in their own communities.
- Dr. Jimmy Dunn from the University of Northern Colorado wrote about Setting New Geography Standards for Colorado. He spent a lot of time quizzing his students about geography using different methods and tracking the results. Fascinating!
- Venice, Italy is sinking due to excessive flooding, which is cased by a number of factors. Geographer, Dr. Denise Blanchard of Texas State University gave a fascinated session on the causes and possible solutions to the problem.
FYI – I hosted a workshop called “Fun with Geography in the Classroom.”
These were just a small fraction of the many learning experiences to be had at this year’s NCGE conference. I would have loved to attend every one of the sessions, but that would be impossible. I’m looking forward to next year.
To join NCGE, click here. Remember, you don’t have to be a geographer or teacher to care about geography education in America.
Cme back tomorrow . . . it’s all about Puerto Rico.