However, many students (and adults) lack geo-literacy skills. In fact, geography is a subject that has been long been neglected in U.S. classrooms, especially after No Child Left Behind shifted the focus to the Common Core State Standards (e.g., Knighton, Warren, Sharpe, & Demasio, 2003; Hinde & Ekiss, 2005).  For example, 8th grade geography scores from the 2014 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) indicate that only 48% of all students possess basic geographic skills or partial mastery of prerequisite knowledge and fundamental skills. 

Basic skills are not an acceptable goal, but only the first step towards geo-literate decision-making.  Examples of proficiency-level skills for 8th graders include the ability to: 1) identify how ocean currents affect climate, 2) use an atlas to identify the continent with lowest per capita ownership of personal computers or 3) locate the country on the Horn of Africa.  Students clearly need support to develop proficiency in these important types of geographical reasoning skills in order to act as informed global citizens.  Supporting a geo-literate citizenry is an important aspect of social justice – for ourselves, future generations, and for our planet.  By improving student engagement with critical decision-making about the global issues we face, this project addresses two of WSU’s Grand Challenges: 1) Sustainable Resources and 2) Opportunity and Equity. ...Less

PuzzleMap can turn any online web map into an interactive jigsaw puzzle, honoring the legacy of John Spilsbury who invented the first jigsaw puzzle in 1766 specifically for teaching geography.  This modern version includes many innovative features, such as interactive links to images, text, videos and more.  It employs the power of visual-spatial manipulation to build conceptual understanding and increase knowledge retention. ...Less