Session 1

What are the types and structures of geography knowledge?

What does it mean to say "I know"? It can mean one, two, or three different things. There are different types and structures of knowledge in general and geography knowledge specifically.

We need to reflect on types of knowledge to match strategies to kinds of knowledge.

Three Types of Knowledge

Declarative knowledge that. This is information stored as propositions, webbed in endless networks.

Procedural knowing how

Conditional when and why to use a procedure. Think of this as a series of "if...then" statements

Structure of Geography

Geography is considered an ill-structured discipline. It has some aspects of a well-structured domain (especially in those sections which overlap with well-structured disciplines like science) but is generally ill-structured. This means that each case is unique as opposed to disciplines that are predictive, follow a logical order, and are based in developed theories. This makes planning geography activities a challenge to allow students opportunities to understand many cases.