The Power of Regional Geography - A View from China

1. What is powerful knowledge of regional geography——Ａ view from China Zhang Jianzhen ZheJiang Normal University zhangjianzhenliu@126.com

2. Two misunderstandings ※Geography is a factual subject, accumulating knowledge about the mountains and rivers of the world. 1 2 ※As long as you grasp the methods to investigate, it doesn’t matter which or how many regions you have learned.

3. A model Apply to geography Levels of knowledge the framework of how to know a place the information of the location or characters of one place what is the nature of the geography think geographically with information the concepts; the central place theory what is the nature of the discipline disciplined thinking with the informationn organized system information the rules of how the information organized information Level 4: Level 2: Level 3: Level 1: Level 5: Example: Example: Example: Example: Example:

4. Level 1 • Character:isolated, scattered, fragmented; unique. • Significance:vivid materials to learn; • contributes to “cultural literacy”; • motivational; • foundational.

5. A model Apply to geography Levels of knowledge the framework of how to know a place the information of the location or characters of one place what is the nature of the geography think geographically with information the concepts; the central place theory what is the nature of the discipline disciplined thinking with the informationn organized system information the rules of how the information organized information Level 4: Level 2: Level 3: Level 1: Level 5: Example: Example: Example: Example: Example:

6.  Population characteristics  Regional Natural Factors Northernmost and southernmost Latitude location Latitude range Spatial relationship with a special parallel Location in continent Relative location to other things Location of mountain/river Location of administrative region Location of transportation Level 2: Systematicity Regional natural characteristics Regional cultural characteristics Industrial distribution Regional natural resources  History and culture Absolute location Longitude location  Transportation Distance Geographical location Location of land and sea East/west/interior of continent The sea/ocean close to Relative location 6-9 grades Basic elements for learning of Regional geography Geological geomorphology Climate Soil  Hydrology Vegetation

7. Level 2 • Character:is organized by a framework which is idiomatic. • Significance:gives pupils an  initial  sense &some idiomatic ways of the subject; links and relationships.

8. A model Apply to geography Levels of knowledge the framework of how to know a place the information of the location or characters of one place what is the nature of the geography think geographically with information the concepts; the central place theory what is the nature of the discipline disciplined thinking with the informationn organized system information the rules of how the information organized information Level 4: Level 2: Level 3: Level 1: Level 5: Example: Example: Example: Example: Example:

9. Level 3 • Character:the rules of how information organized, including concepts and theory ; based on one region then universalized. • Significance: provides generalizations and theoretical knowledge, which leads pupils beyond their “everyday life"; provides chances for pupils to learn how knowledge is produced. This is essential for their innovative or creative and critical thinking.

10. A model Apply to geography Levels of knowledge the framework of how to know a place the information of the location or characters of one place what is the nature of the geography think geographically with information the concepts; the central place theory what is the nature of the discipline disciplined thinking with the informationn organized system information the rules of how the information organized information Level 4: Level 2: Level 3: Level 1: Level 5: Example: Example: Example: Example: Example:

11. Level 4 • Character: • Significance: makes the pupils have a genuine sense of belonging or a disciplinary identity. Text4 Text2

12. A model Apply to geography Levels of knowledge the framework of how to know a place the information of the location or characters of one place what is the nature of the geography think geographically with information the concepts; the central place theory what is the nature of the discipline disciplined thinking with the informationn organized system information the rules of how the information organized information Level 4: Level 2: Level 3: Level 1: Level 5: Example: Example: Example: Example: Example:

13. Level 5 • Character:questions like: Why is regional thought important to geography? what is the nature of region? Why should geography research region as an object and a method? • Significance: makes pupils understand the nature of geography.

14. A model Apply to geography Levels of knowledge the framework of how to know a place the information of the location or characters of one place what is the nature of the geography think geographically with information the concepts; the central place theory what is the nature of the discipline disciplined thinking with the informationn organized system information the rules of how the information organized information Level 4: Level 2: Level 3: Level 1: Level 5: Example: Example: Example: Example: Example:

15. Application to curriculum and pedagogy • provides a framework to analyze the significance of knowledge to pedagogy and intellectual development. • provides a basis for the design of regional geography pedagogy , the curriculum and the evaluation of regional geography teaching.

16. A model Apply to geography Levels of knowledge the framework of how to know a place the information of the location or characters of one place what is the nature of the geography think geographically with information the concepts; the central place theory what is the nature of the discipline disciplined thinking with the informationn organized system information the rules of how the information organized information Level 4: Level 2: Level 3: Level 1: Level 5: Example: Example: Example: Example: Example:

17. THANKS! Zhang Jianzhen ZheJiang Normal University zhangjianzhenliu@126.com