Image Building in the Metro Centers: Some Implications

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to demonstrate that:

(1) High school and college teachers and their students are most likely to achieve success in the field when they are armed with a conceptual framework, a plan for discovering the framework and a body of instructional theory.

(2) There are distinct differences between field teaching or training and field experience.

(3) During a time when many students are dissatisfied with classroom instruction, field experience can revitalize geography teaching in colleges and high schools.

(4) Field experience can create concrete images which are likely to be meaningful for many years.     

国内外民族社区研究综述

以少数民族为居民主体的社区是一种特殊的社区类型。作为民族社会的重要构成单元,社区内独特的民族性、文化性和地域性日益成为国内外学者关注的重点。文章首先回顾了国外民族社区研究的历史起源,总结了城市民族社区的研究重点,并对乡村民族社区的影响、类型、变迁、旅游和感知研究进行详细的归纳总结;国内民族社区研究则从内涵、演变、发展以及旅游影响研究4 个重点领域进行进展分析。在以上研究的基础上,从研究领域、研究方法、研究对象、研究理论基础和研究内容5 个方面将国内外民族社区研究进行对比,并提出,国内民族社区研究亟需加强民族社区演化的影响因素、动态演化机制、居民生计方式、文化遗产保护与利用、经济结构协调、村落空间形态演变和整合开发以及可持续发展政策等7个方面的研究。     

Mapping Polka and Its Ethnic Heritage in the United States

Abstract

Ethnic music is a strong indicator of cultural identity. Central and Eastern European ethnic groups have historically been associated with folk music traditions, such as polka, and radio broadcasting patterns in the United States reflect continued demand for and support of this music. Data from the 2000 Census was used to generate maps of the county-level ancestral patterns from European regions traditionally associated with polka music and was compared with the locations of radio stations that play polka. This article demonstrates straightforward quantitative approaches to evaluating these patterns of musical preferences. This study serves as an example for ways in which mapping and GIS can be used as tools for teaching and learning topics related to cultural geography.     

Diffusion of geographic information innovations

Abstract

Appropriate diffusion of geographic information technologies is hampered by lack of systematic research on factors and processes affecting diffusion, utilization and impact assessment of the technologies and by a variety of conceptual and methodological problems. Diffusion of innovation principles developed in other fields, in combination with methods developed within the field of management information systems, provide an important beginning for improved understanding. This paper focuses on gaps in knowledge which might be addressed within the geographic information field by analysis techniques and research methodologies used in the diffusion of innovations.     

中国跨境水资源的脆弱性及其影响因子

Competitive use of transboundary freshwater resources is becoming one of the key factors influencing regional peace and political relationship among states. In China, 18 major international river basins are concentrated in three regions, of which the total annual outflow at the border is 7320×10⁸ m³, occupying 26.8% of the total annual runoff of China, and the inflow at the border is only 172×10⁸ m³. In this paper, we analyzed the major drivers affecting shared water vulnerability in China, namely: (1) changes in physical conditions affecting the availability of water; (2) competing objectives between economic development and ecological conservation; (3) lack of emergency response mechanisms; (4) unsound administrative institutions; and (5) shortcomings in the development of regional cooperation based on transboundary waters. We concluded by identifying four pathways for reducing vulnerability: (1) encouraging scientific research cooperation; (2) constructing information-sharing channels; (3) establishing early-warning mechanisms; and (4) promoting further coordination and negotiation. Foundation: The National Key Project for Basic Research on Ecosystem Changes in Longitudinal Range-Gorge Region and Transboundary Eco-security of Southwest China, No.2003CB415105 Author: Feng Yan (1967–), Ph.D and Professor, specialized in coordinated management of international river basins related to international water law and water policy, natural resources sustainable uses in mountainous areas.     

Assessment as a Diagnostic Tool

Abstract

This paper introduces the development and validation of the Test of Geography-Related Attitudes (ToGRA). The ToGRA measures student attitude on four discrete scales: 1) leisure interest in geography; 2) enjoyment of geographic education; 3) career interest in geography; and 4) interest in place. The ToGRA was validated from a field test sample of 388 ninth-grade World Geography students who responded to the Web-based instrument. Statistical analyses were performed on these data in order to enhance the overall scale characteristics and to determine construct validity. The resultant survey is the first validated affective-trait measurement instrument available to secondary-level researchers and practitioners.     

The Fundamental and the Incidental in Geography

Abstract

An increased use of artistic literature as a resource in both teaching and research is evident in geography. With the growing interest of some scholars in the behavioral aspects of geography, traditional resources are being supplemented with more humanistic, subjective information sources. In historical geography, for example, literature is a particularly suitable resource for studies of man's role in past geographies and of human perception of past environments.¹ Specialists in regional geography and area studies also have shown a growing appreciation of such sources.² A parallel and related development has occurred in geographic education. In many different courses, but particularly in those dealing with regions, literature has become a recommended resource. The purposes of this paper are (1) to review the relevance of the novel as a resource for geographers and (2) to suggest that a current novel, Centennial, by James A. Michener,³ particularly warrants consideration for use in courses on the historical geography of the United States.     

Green infrastructure,green space,and sustainable urbanism: geography’s important role

ABSTRACT

This paper is a broad review of green infrastructure theory and practice relative to urban sustainability and the space for geographers in these discussions. We use examples from various urban sustainability plans to highlight ways in which green infrastructure is being conceptualized and implemented. We explore how geography contributes research on green infrastructure as well as the emerging practices as seen within sustainability plans. We identify four areas in which geographers can influence both green infrastructure theory and practice: 1) scale; 2) mapping distribution; 3) sensitivity to place and locale; and 4) equity and access. We conclude that in these areas geographers have tremendous opportunity contribute more deliberately to sustainable urbanism.     

Measures of transport mode segmentation of trajectories

ABSTRACT

Rooted in the philosophy of point- and segment-based approaches for transportation mode segmentation of trajectories, the measures that researchers have adopted to evaluate the quality of the results (1) are incomparable across approaches, hence slowing the progress in the field and (2) do not provide insight about the quality of the continuous transportation mode segmentation. To address these problems, this paper proposes new error measures that can be applied to measure how well a continuous transportation mode segmentation model performs. The error measures introduced are based on aligning multiple inferred continuous intervals to ground truth intervals, and measure the cardinality of the alignment and the spatial and temporal discrepancy between the corresponding aligned segments. The utility of this new way of computing errors is shown by evaluating the segmentation of three generic transportation mode segmentation approaches (implicit, explicit–holistic, and explicit–consensus-based transport mode segmentation), which can be implemented in a thick client architecture. Empirical evaluations on a large real-word data set reveal the superiority of explicit–consensus-based transport mode segmentation, which can be attributed to the explicit modeling of segments and transitions, which allows for a meaningful decomposition of the complex learning task.     

How Does Castells's The Rise of the Network Society Contribute to Research in Human Geography? A Citation Content and Context Analysis

Manuel Castells seminal work The Rise of the Network Society (RNS) is one of the top ten most frequently cited publications in human geography. RNS comprehensively investigates the theory of network society, which is of great significance to human geography. Citation count, however, cannot reflect the specific contribution of RNS to human geography. By jointly using citation content and context analysis on 898 journal articles on human geography, this study examines the citations of RNS to clarify the contribution. Results show that (1) “space of flows” is most frequently cited and (2) citations of RNS serve nine citation functions in human geography studies. Eight of them reveal three types of knowledge development contribution, namely, knowledge dissemination, knowledge inheritance, and knowledge innovation. Among the nine citation functions, the critique function is most thought-provoking, revealing the deficiencies of RNS: (1) spatial dualism is abstract and impersonal, (2) “space of places” is as important as “space of flows” in the network society, and (3) the lack of abundant data limits the development of empirical research on the space of flows and network of city. These critical citations provide implications for the development of network society theory in human geography. Key Words: bibliometric analysis, citation context analysis, content analysis, knowledge development, network society.     

亚洲国际河流研究进展

1 General situation Entering the 21st century, resource and environmental diplomacy is regarded as a new element for establishing future international patterns of cooperation. Transboundary resources and environmental issues in international river basins …     

GEOGRAPHY IN THREE WORLDS: HOW POPPER'S SYSTEM CAN HELP ELUCIDATE DICHOTOMIES AND CHANGES IN THE DISCIPLINE∗

Popper's concept of Worlds 1. 2, and 3 is discussed briefly in the light of idealism and materialism and to illustrate the debate about reification and reductionism. Then six types of change in geography are classified as changes in the phenomenal environment (World 1) and in that part of the behavioral environment that constitutes World 3. These changes involve those comparisons within or between “Worlds” that identify future research problems.     

Ethnic Settlements on Topographic Maps

Abstract

The large scale topographic map can be a valuable medium for the pedagogic study of cultural geography, as a documentary source for research, or as a supplement to field work. Ethnic settlements, by way of illustration, are distinct cultural features on the landscape and can be located on topographic maps through the compilation of settlement form interpretation keys or place-name indexes, and the study of ethnic history. With this information as a base, it is possible to develop an interpretation logic that will allow the location and identification of ethnic groups on topographic maps.     

The Council at Work

Abstract

The field of geography education is sadly lacking in empirical data that might inform and underpin decisions about standard setting, curriculum design, materials development, teaching strategies, and assessment procedures. Large quantities of high-quality data are necessary if geography is to be successfully implemented in the American education system. This article advances four needs that, if met, would generate the data necessary to make the case for geography in America's schools. We need a new attitude towards research, a series of baseline studies, a research agenda, and a research clearinghouse if we are to make a convincing case for geography in America's schools.     

Concept as A Teaching Device: The Example of Buffer Zones in Africa

Abstract

With the information explosion, it is more imperative than ever to seek continually for better organizational principles in teaching. Among many complementary and alternative schemata, the basic role of the concept as a teaching device should not be overlooked. By way of illustration, a simple physical model of a shatter belt, representing the concept of zonal resolution of stress, is shown to lend itself to five politico-economic transformations in Africa, each with a potential for amplification in the classroom: 1) indigenous polities, 2) colonial power-fields, 3) post-colonial dependencies, 4) inner territorial buffers, and 5) intra-societal caste buffers. Other concepts, of course, will have different applications. Importantly, since concepts help to illustrate systems relationships that aggregate rather than disaggregate phenomena, they are of great educational utility.     

Teaching Experiential Learning in Geography: Lessons from Planning

Abstract

Geography increasingly relies on training of professionals who can apply geographic concepts to solve real-world problems. The planning profession for years has been training professionals to work in the area of community planning. Planning programs typically include experiential learning modules throughout the curriculum. This article looks at how community planning approaches can be incorporated into geography programs in lower level courses to: (1) provide exposure to practical applications of geographic concepts; (2) give students experience with team dynamics; and (3) provide students with experience in real-world client relations. Advantages and challenges of experiential learning are identified and discussed. An example of an experiential learning exercise adapted from a planning application is presented. The exercise was developed to enhance learning in a geography curriculum.     

Teaching American Indian Geography and History with New Perspectives: The Lodge Pole River Project Example

Abstract

A three-year institute called “The Lodge Pole River Project” was designed to change educator perceptions of American Indian historical geography and encourage the creation of balanced and culturally sensitive American Indian K-12 curriculum. This project offered unique opportunities to assess a geography institute's impact upon teacher knowledge and perceptions towards Native people and pedagogical approaches to teaching about American Indians and their landscapes. The assessment suggests that three weeks of field work, archival research, and curriculum writing increased participant knowledge of American Indian history and culture, solidified sympathetic perceptions and attitudes towards Native people, and strengthened the ability of educators to offer different interpretations of American Indian geography and history to their students.     

Emerging trends and research frontiers in spatial multicriteria analysis

ABSTRACT

A majority of research on Spatial Multicriteria Analysis (SMCA) has been spatially implicit. Typically, SMCA uses conventional (aspatial) multicriteria methods for analysing and solving spatial problems. This paper examines emerging trends and research frontiers related to the paradigm shift from spatially implicit to spatially explicit multicriteria analysis. The emerging trend in SMCA has been spatially explicit conceptualizations of multicriteria problems focused on multicriteria analysis with geographically varying outcomes and local multicriteria analysis. The research frontiers align with conceptual and structural elements of SMCA and pertain to, among others, theoretical frameworks, problem structuring, model parameter derivation, decision problem contextualization, scale representation, treatment of uncertainties, and the very meaning of decision support. The paper also identifies research directions and challenges associated with developing spatially explicit multicriteria methods and integrating concepts and approaches from two distinct fields: GIS and multicriteria analysis.     

非点源污染研究中土壤溶解性无机氮的提取方法选择

用2M KCl溶液(5:1)、饱和CaSO4溶液(5:1)、0.01M CaCl₂溶液(20:1,100:1) 和去离子水(20:1,100:1)4种提取液、6种提取方式,采用Auto-analyzerⅢColorimeter (Bran Luebbe),水杨酸-次氯酸盐法和Griess-Ilosvay法测定并对比了北京地区4种天然土样的溶解性氨氮和硝态氮的含量。研究结果表明:溶解性硝态氮的测定结果不受提取液和水土比(小于100:1)的影响,而溶解性氨氮测定结果受影响较大。在非点源污染研究中,对于土壤中可向水体迁移的溶解性无机氮含量的测定,应根据来水水源特征和研究目的选择适宜的浸提剂和水土比。