From John Butler: A response to the 'Big Questions' question.
Suggestions of Big Questions of Geography John Butler
November 2009
How did the land get to have so much variety in appearance? How have
natural forces shaped it? How have human actions shaped it?
What causes weather and climate? How do natural forces cause it? How
do human actions influence it?
What effects will climate change have and what responses are required?
How can water be used sustainably ?
What are the benefits of wilderness? How can wilderness areas be
managed?
How can humans produce goods and services without wasting resources?
How can enough food be produced for a growing population while
maintaining future sustainability?
What forms of energy will be used for transport, electricity, food
production in the future?
What are the causes and results of inequitable access to resources and
standards of living?
What effects will the increase of the world’s population to 10 billion
have on the land, sea, air, resources, politics, consumption?
What social, environmental and economic effects will an aging
population have on countries?
How do migrations change geographical patterns and what part does
geographical variation play in large-scale migrations?
What changes to lives are being made by globalisation? How do
international changes have national and local impacts?
Why do more than 50% of the world’s population live in cities? What
problems does this cause and what are possible solutions?
How can housing, shops, recreation facilities, school buildings,
transport and other necessary infrastructures be altered to improve
standards of living?
How can scarcity of resources, environmental damage, population
pressures, and national borders lead to conflict, terrorism and wars?
How do geographic differences in physical, social, environmental and
economic characteristics impact on employment, wealth, standard of
living, educational opportunities?
On Nov 4, 7:42 pm, Rebecca Nicholas <
bec.ni...@gmail.com> wrote:
> What is the role of geography in a student developing as an active
> citizens?
>
> I think that Geography is one of the best subjects to do this.... by
> looking at most topics students are able to use their geographical
> knowledge to look at the impacts an issue is having, and then make a
> decision by looking at various strategies... This is the bit I love
> teaching because students can go through this process and feel like
> they really know what is going on. It is even better when they say "I
> don't get why the local government doesn't change this' and we write a
> letter to the local council and in some cases, something happens.
>
> It doesn't always matter what the actual content you are studying is,
> as long as in this case there is a local case study you can get the
> kids thinking about....
>
> I am not sure what other subjects allow kids that satisfaction of
> 'doing something' and understanding why they are doing it...
>
> I could be biased though...
>
> Bec
>
> PS - Check out this link for the future in spatial technologies in
> phones - GIS in action - i love it... imagine if kids could develop
> maps like this for phones for various field trips etc. I think it
> would be awesome -
http://www.theage.com.au/digital-life/smartphone-apps/hold-the-phone-...
> > > For more options, visit this group athttp://
groups.google.com/group/21st-century-geography-in-australian-s...quoted text -
>
> > > - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -