Field Work in the Elementary School

Abstract

This research examines the effects of culture on a child's perceptions of his or her neighborhood by comparing the neighborhood sketch maps of a group of Amish and non-Amish children from the same rural Pennsylvania neighborhood. The results of this study lend credence to the belief that early and intensive acculturation helps define our sense of “neighborhood” very early in life. There are possible applications to multicultural education in this study. As we discover what is important to students from other subcultures and backgrounds, we can customize our instruction to make it more meaningful and effective.     

The Digital Versatile Disc as a Learning Support Medium in the Teaching and Learning of Map Work

Abstract

This article describes the results of a study where the digital versatile disc (DVD) was used as a variant of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in order to aid in the teaching and learning of map work in geography at secondary school level. A group of grade 10 learners of a previously disadvantaged school in South Africa comprised the target group for the project. A case study was conducted and data was gathered on the implementation of the DVD and the learners' perceptions thereof. Qualitative analysis techniques such as field notes, observation, interviews with the learners, and questionnaires were used to analyze the effectiveness of the implementation of the DVD as well as the learners' perceptions regarding the use of the DVD in geography education. The results of the study indicated that the geography learners demonstrated positive attitudes towards the implementation of the DVD as a learning support medium. To determine the contribution of the DVD project towards the achieved results of the learners in map work, both the experimental and control groups participated in a pre- and post-test at the beginning and conclusion of the project. Effect size was used to determine the significance of the differences between the two groups and indicates a strong practical significance regarding the contribution of the DVD project towards the achieved test results of the learners.     

The Global Landscape of GIS in Secondary Education

This study analyzes the status of GIS in schools in thirty-three countries and proposes recommendations for advancing the implementation and effectiveness of GIS in secondary education from an international perspective. Thirty-three countries have been evaluated in the study to assess the global landscape of educational GIS by analyzing how GIS is recognized, approached, and used across the world with chief challenges, opportunities, and case studies. As the study revealed, the current global landscape of GIS remains small for secondary education; however, the convergence of citizen science, emphasis on spatial thinking, mobile devices, open data, and Web-based map services could cause a significant increase in the numbers of schools, educators, and students teaching and learning with GIS.     

Mindful Learning in Geography: Cultivating Balanced Attitudes Toward Regions

This study examines the potential of mindful learning in geography education. A hypothesis was developed to form the research topic, and three experiments were performed to analyze it. The experiments supported the hypothesis. In other words, mindful learning was found to be helpful for cultivating balanced attitudes toward regions. In conclusion, mindful learning has the potential to be a simple but helpful method of geography education.     

Geography and National Education Policy

Abstract

The National Geography Standards must be relevant to everyone associated with educational reform. The special advantage enjoyed by geography during the last administration is slipping away. The focus has shifted from the national to the local level. One way geography can demonstrate its relevance is to strengthen its ties with environmental education.     

基于六杆机构的望远镜副镜支承的分析

建立了一种新型的6-PSS并联六杆机构的虚拟样机模型,重点分析了望远镜高度角等因素对杆力的影响,这些因素是六杆机构用于望远镜特别需要考虑的,总结出高度角从0°变化到90°,杆力的拉压状态变化次数比较少、杆所承受的最大力比较小的结构参数设置方法.     

浅析计算机网络在气象继续教育中的应用

分析气象继续教育传统教学模式的弊端和应用计算机网络开展教学的优势,对计算机网络在气象继续教育中的应用提出了3点建议,以期对发展气象继续教育和作进一步探索研究有所启示.     

Perspectives on Quaternary outreach and aspirations for the future

Outreach arising from the study of the British Quaternary offers many benefits for society, especially because of its relevance for understanding contemporary environmental issues and environmental change. Outreach is also important for the long-term health of the academic discipline and research agenda. Through engaging with the formal education system, institutions, policy makers, planners and with the public at large, Quaternary specialists can do much to advance interest in and appreciation of the British landscape and its Quaternary record. This opinion and review article considers the importance and benefits of outreach in its many forms, makes the case for practitioners to continue and increase their involvement, offers examples of good practice, and sets out aspirations for the future.     

带权重的相关函数在半解析模型和SDSS数据中的应用

基于半解析模型和SDSS DR4(Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 4),研究了环境对星系性质的影响.通过对以颜色、恒星形成率和恒星质量的带权重的相关函数的测量,发现半解析模型在颜色和恒星质量上与SDSS数据符合得比较好,而恒星形成率则在SDSS数据中表现为与环境无关.此结论证实了半解析模型对星系中部分性质与环境关系的预测,但对于恒星形成率为何与环境无关仍有待研究.     

Application of Weighted Correlation Functions to Semi-analytic Models and SDSS Data

The effect of circumstances on the properties of galaxies is researched on the basis of semi-analytic models and SDSS DR4 (Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 4). From the measurements of the weighted correlation function with the color, star formation rate and stellar mass, it is found that the semianalytic models are in good accordance with the SDSS data in color and stellar mass, while the star formation rate manifests itself as a thing that has no relation to the circumstances in the SDSS data. This conclusion confirms the prediction of the relation between some properties in a galaxy and the circumstances, made by means of the semi-analytic model, but the reason why the star formation rate has no relation to the circumstances still remains to be studied.