Geographic Inquiry in the Elementary School VIA ETV

Abstract

Many of the “new” social studies curriculum projects emphasize strategies for teaching-without-telling, and traditional materials are being adapted to promote more inquiry-oriented learning experiences. While this article explores the potential for using the television medium in a relatively nonexpository manner, the techniques described are applicable at all educational levels and with other instructional materials. The authors believe that the key to the development of more meaningful geographic concepts and generalizations is active pupil involvement in hypothesizing, observing, and selecting evidence upon which to make inferences and draw conclusions.