The Road Map Project brings together experts in geography, education, and research to chart a course for the large-scale improvement of K-12 geography education in the U.S.
Some great educators and geographers have collaborated to design a “road map” for the future of geography education. This is their report.
“Mr Füzes had voiced support for the Székler people, a group of ethnic Hungarians who live in Transylvania, after two Romanian counties banned the display of the Székler flag (pictured above with men in hussar uniform) on public buildings. Zsolt Nemeth, Hungary’s state secretary for foreign affairs, described the ban as an act of “symbolic aggression” and called for local councils in Hungary to show solidarity by flying the Székler flag from town halls. The Hungarian government then raised the Székler flag above Parliament, further enraging Bucharest…”
Flags are important symbols of cultural identity and displaying them can be a strong political statement. For Hungarians, displaying symbols of a “Greater Hungary” shows some desire to for irredentism–to redeem Hungarians of the ‘wrong’ side of the border. For those Hungarians in Romania this is an act of defiance that show that they want greater autonomy.
For sports fans, ESPN did a “30 for 30” documentary on the early 90’s Yugoslavian basketball team that was a major talent (1990 World Champions) but was torn apart as devolutionary forces fractured the countries and the once-teammates were estranged after what some perceived as disrespectful acts to the Croatian national flag. Vlade Divac (a Serbian) was pitted against some of his best friends from Croatia as the civil war was playing itself out on the court as well. This is a great way to get a sports fan to learn about ethnic conflict and cultural symbols (“Once Brothers”–$1.99, free for Amazon Prime users).
Tags: political, conflict, devolution, autonomy, Europe, culture.
See on www.economist.com
The happiest city in America is Napa, California — and the saddest all swear too much.
Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Utah, Vermont–congratulations on being the happiest states according to a Twitter metric. Louisiana, I’m just sad typing that you are the saddest of all states.
See on www.theatlantic.com
A 150-yard-long chunk of State Highway 89 collapsed about 5 a.m. roughly 25 miles south of Page
Just a reminder that the Earth beneath our feet (and roads and buildings) are a part of a dynamic system that changes.
See on www.azcentral.com
A TV program about firewood, mostly showing a fireplace in use, has aroused passions in Norway.
In so many countries this would be one of the worst rated TV shows of all time, and yet in Norway, where a rustic, outdoorsman connection to the forest is ingrained in the culture, it’s a hit and one that sparks debates and discussion. Isn’t it good, Norwegian Wood?
See on www.nytimes.com
Education via the Internet has been overrated and could produce more dropouts than degrees.
Some food for thought about changing educational paradigms and technology. As one commentator stated seeing this article, “MOOC coverage swings back and forth.”
See on www.nytimes.com
Try out some geography trivia in our World Cities Quiz: a great geography quiz that tests your knowledge of some of the major cities of the word!
See on www.quizfortune.com
A race for energy resources makes unresolved territorial disputes more dangerous in both North-East and South-East Asia
Tags: borders, political, conflict, war, China, Japan, East Asia.
Many of the geopolitical conflicts in the East Pacific have their roots in the territorial disputes over islands that at first glance seem as if they wouldn’t be worth the trouble. However, since the the UNCLOS agreement gives countries 200 nautical miles off their coasts to be an Exclusive Economic Zone, that greatly enhanced the strategic value of controlling these islands.
See on www.economist.com
GEOGRAPHY EDUCATION 