sethdixon

Author

sethdixon

I am a geography professor at Rhode Island College.

Toronto at Night

Seth Dixon, Ph.D.‘s insight:

Ironically, some land use patterns become more visible as the sun goes down. There are some sharp borders in this image of Toronto that was taken by the Canadian astronaut, Chris Hadfield and it is a wonderful teaching image.

Questions to ponder: Why is there such sharp divisions between the illuminated and obscure portions of the image? What does this sharp division say about the land use patterns? Would we see this pattern in the United States? Why or why not? What urban model(s) can help explain the spatial layout of Toronto?

Tags: urban, planning, remote sensing, geospatial, Canada, models, unit 7 cities.

See on twitter.com

April 17, 2013 0

In Fact, the U.S. Has Been Winning the War on Terror

Terror in the United States have evolved since 1970: once the tool of left-wing radicals, then right-wing radicals, terrorist attacks are now uncommon, often unsuccessful, and not nearly as deadly.

Seth Dixon, Ph.D.‘s insight:

While terrorism is being discussed in the media as a rising trend in the United States after the Boston Marathon, the statistics don’t show that analysis to be true. This resources compiles maps, charts and graphs so you can evaluate the historical terrorist patterns for yourself.

Tags: terrorism, statistics, USA.

See on www.theatlanticwire.com

April 17, 2013 0

APHG Graduate Certificate Program

“Join us for this free, informational webinar about Elmhurst College’s APHG Graduate Certificate Program. There are many levels of involvement to suit your professional development needs. Meet the director of the program and ask all your burning questions about getting up to speed on one of the fastest growing AP areas in the country!“

Seth Dixon, Ph.D.‘s insight:

The good folks at GIS ETC are hosting a free webinar to discuss the AP Human Geography Graduate Certificate Program that will be launched this coming June through Elmhurst College. The Program Director, Dr. Rich Schultz. Interested in hearing what this program is all about? The webinar will be Thursday, April 18th 7pm CDT and you can register for free here.

Tags: APHG, Geography Education, training.

See on www3.gotomeeting.com

April 16, 2013 0

North Korea threatens to strike without warning

North Korea turned up the temperature yet another degree on its neighbors Monday, warning that it would not give any advance notice before attacking South Korea.

Seth Dixon, Ph.D.‘s insight:

This CNN video briefly highlights why many pundits think “this time is different” –the rhetoric and threatens have gone far beyond what North Korea has done in the past. You might also enjoy the Plaid Avenger’s always irreverant analysis in this ‘plaidcast.’

Tags: North Korea, war, conflict.

See on edition.cnn.com

April 16, 2013 0

China’s Water Crisis

For years, China claimed to hold an estimated 50000 rivers within its borders. Now, more than half of them have abruptly vanished.

See on www.newsy.com

April 15, 2013 0

Where North Korea wants to Attack!

From the NY Times: “North Korea, which seemed to be running out of tubs to thump, found a new target for its ire in a propaganda video released Saturday on Uriminzokkiri, a government Web site.

To a soundtrack of fervent synthesizers and inspirational light rock, the video announces that North Korea will aim nuclear weapons (that it may, or may not, be able to launch) at Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Honolulu and… Colorado Springs, Co.

The unorthodox move — apparently an attempt to target the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or Norad, and the United States Air Force Academy — is compounded by the fact that Pyongyang does not quite know where the city is. The map shown in the video places it somewhere in Louisiana.”

Seth Dixon, Ph.D.‘s insight:

I wish this had sub-titles, but it is an incredibly awesome bit of North Korea’s famous jingoistic propaganda from their media that essentially is the least free press in the world (maybe subtitles would ruin the unintentional comedy). I find this equal parts hilarious and unnerving, but totally mesmerizing.

Tags: North Korea, war, labor, industry, economic, conflict, unit 6 industry.

See on www.youtube.com

April 15, 2013 1

APHG Study App

“App4Success APHuG is an intuitive app for students to excel in AP Human Geography. Created by two students who scored 5 on all their AP Exams, the app is organized by the topics* indicated by the College Board.”

Seth Dixon, Ph.D.‘s insight:

I’m not an iPhone or iPad user, but this $1.99 app has received good reviews from within the APHG communities. Please share in the comments section any feedback.

April 15, 2013 0

Business Geography

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, Ph.D.‘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.

See on www.gainesville.com

April 15, 2013 0

Graphic: Out of Africa – Did the Colonial Powers ever Really Leave?

Africa may have achieved independence, but the old colonial ties are still important as France’s decision to send troops to Mali to fight Islamist extremists shows.

Seth Dixon, Ph.D.‘s insight:

This is a very intriguing infographic (download high-resolution image here). How are old colonial patterns a thing of the past? How do old colonial patterns continue to affect the African continent?

Tags: Africa, states, language, infographic, historical, colonialism.

See on news.nationalpost.com

April 15, 2013 0