Concepts of Geographic Thinking The four concepts of geographic thinking – Spatial significance, Patterns and Trends, Interrelationships, Geographic Perspective These underpin thinking and learning when doing an investigation in geography. It is not enough to memorize place names and locations!

We want to know what is where? But we also want to know why is it there, and also why should we care?

Spatial Significance Why is it important in space? What is the connection between the location and physical characteristics of a site? What is the relationships between the natural and human environments in a particular place?

Focus Question How do the policies of different governments affect the environment?

This slide shows spatially the affect on the environment by two different countries… Haiti to the left and Dominican Republic to the right.

Some Related Questions What are wetlands? Where are they and why are they important? Why do so many Canadians live in the south of the country? How much fresh water do we have compared to other countries?

Patterns and Trends What are the characteristics that are similar and that repeat themselves in a natural or human environment (patterns)? (deserts at certain latitudes … poverty in city cores) What are the characteristics or traits that exhibit a consistent tendency in a particular setting over a period of time (trends)?. ( Why are people moving from the country into cities worldwide?) The characteristics may be spatial, social, economic, physical, or environmental.

What are the connections between characteristics to determine patterns you see? Focus Question Why are some people more obese in some areas than others?

This slide shows a PATTERN of obesity. It can show a TREND when we add time. It combines a number of social, cultural, and economic factors. Do you think obesity rates will improve or worsen?  BRFSS = Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

Interrelationships What are the connections within and between natural and human environments? They work together to form a system.

Some questions What factors influence the quality of life in different countries? Why is it important to be aware of and to address global inequalities of wealth and quality of life?

Focus Question How might the breaking up of continental ice in Greenland and the Arctic affect Canada’s coastline?

What would happened to Florida’s 26 million people?

Geographic Perspective What are the implications of an issue? Are they… Social / Cultural (people) Environmental (natural world) Political (power) Economic (money) We need to look at things from multiple perspectives!

Focus Question What factors need to be considered when expanding a highway?

Summary Space - location Patterns and Trends – seeing the arrangement Interrelationships - connections Perspective – multiple viewpoints