Geography and History of the World © 2010 Indiana Edition

Chapter 1: How Geographers Look at the World

Web Activity Lesson Plans

"Careers in Geography"

Introduction
Students have learned about the many different workers who use geography to help them do their jobs. In this activity, they will learn more about the many possible fields of work and the variety of jobs available to a person with a degree in geography. They will also learn about the work experiences of individual geographers.

Lesson Description
Students will use information from the Association of American Geographers' Web site to learn about careers and training in geography. Students will answer four questions and will then contact, by e-mail, a person who uses geographic training in his or her job and give a 5-minute class presentation sharing what they learned.

Instructional Objectives

  1. Students will be able to describe the fields of geography, the variety of jobs available, and the educational backgrounds needed.
  2. Students will able to recognize the relevance of geography in everyday life.

Applied Content Standards
Standard 18: The geographically informed person knows and understands how to apply geography to interpret the present and plan for the future.

Student Web Activity Answers
  1. Physical geographers: forecasting weather; managing land and water resources; analyzing and planning for forests, rangelands, and wetlands. Human geographers: urban and regional planning, transportation, marketing, real estate, tourism, international business
  2. Computers are used to make maps by using graphics software and scanners; collect and analyze data for maps; store, display, analyze, and provide map information through geographic information systems (GIS); and take and transmit satellite images.
  3. Most urban planners have a bachelor's degree or higher, have passed a national exam, and have taken courses in geography and public administration or public finance.
  4. Multinational companies could benefit from a geographer's knowledge of other countries' resources, industry, and culture; and his or her ability to choose good locations, market to different cultures, resolve sensitive cultural or political issues, and overcome employees' cultural biases.
  5. Have students print out and turn in copies of both the e-mails they sent to their contacts and the responses received. Presentations will vary but should show how the person uses geography at work.
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