A Thematic Approach to Regional Geography<sup>1</sup>

Walter, Bob J.; Bernard, Frank E.

doi:10.1080/00221347308981339

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…Since the early 1980s, most contributors to the geographic education literature have urged a middle ground, although they have approached that ground from two distinct directions. Some scholars, following the earlier works of Walter and Bernard (1973) and Bacon (1979), have used the thematic approach as their foundation but have suggested that a regional component can serve to connect spatial concepts and themes to empirical understanding of actual places. Taaffe (1985) calls for a revival of the regional concept within a broader thematic approach to teaching geography.…”

Section: Debating Geographic Pedagogymentioning

confidence: 99%

Using the Internet to Integrate Thematic and Regional Approaches in Geographic Education

Steinberg

Walter

Sherman–Morris

2002

The Professional Geographer

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Geographers have long debated the superiority of regional versus thematic approaches to geographical analysis and geographic education. While most acknowledge that these two approaches are complementary, the task of implementing both approaches in a single introductory course remains challenging. "Global Change, Local Places," an Internet-based course offered at Florida State University, attempts to fuse thematic and regional approaches using methodological and pedagogical techniques that emphasize student-centered learning and Internet technologies. Results of a student survey and analysis of student assignments suggest that this format was successful. Students expressed a high level of satisfaction with course content, and, although attainment of skills and knowledge was particularly hard to measure given the structure and goals of the course, students appear to have gained country-specific knowledge as well as skills in critical analysis using thematic concepts.

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Section: Debating Geographic Pedagogymentioning

confidence: 99%