Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 21.2
Major topic II: Features of communities and local area development
Topics
Learning Content
1.
Features of
communities
The natural environment and land use in regions, regional population,
industry, and history
2.
Various local
geographic issues
and local area
development
A. Regional development that seeks preservation and use of natural
resources in local area
B. Regional development that seeks to prepare against natural disasters
and alleviate damage in local area
C. Regional development that seeks preservation and use of historical
resources in local area
D. Regional development that seeks the improvement of the
environment and water circulation in local area
E. Regional development that seeks the enhancement of production,
employment, and sales service in local area
F. Regional development that seeks the enhancement of health and
welfare measures in local area
G. Regional development that seeks effi cient use of energy in local area
H. Regional development that seeks to make transport in the region
more comfortable in local area
I. Regional development that seeks environmental improvement to
protect against accidents and crime in local area
Major topic II consists of two topics: (1) the features of communities and (2)
various local geographic issues and local area development. Table
21.2
outlines
major topic II which features community and local area content that enables stu-
dents to investigate their surrounding area by probing and using problem-solving
strategies (e.g., inquiry, data collection). In the process, students discover diverse
issues related to geographic features, the environment, disasters, and industries
within the local region where they conduct fi eld research. Moreover, students begin
to link these experiences with the learning outcomes of major topic I. Together,
these major topics lead student development of knowledge and skills that are valu-
able if they participate in community building.
Major topic II is designed to help students understand the features and issues of a
community from a local scale and to be mindful about the connections with the learn-
ing outcomes of major topic I. In the fi rst topic, 'features of communities', materials
such as traditional maps, as well as electronic maps and satellite images acquired
from Web GIS, will be used as learning tools to discover the basic characteristics of
the local community where students live. The second topic, 'various local regional
issues and local area development' builds upon such regional characteristics, and,
while conducting fi eld research, students are expected to learn about local geographi-
cal issues related to the natural environment, disasters, and industry. The next step to
extend this learning so students can use the inquiry approach to more deeply under-
stand the problems and to suggest potential solutions.
If all senior high school students study and build on the learning outcomes of
Basic Geography—and take elective courses (e.g., Geography B)—which comprise
