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Ask Me Anything about using geography to teach history with Rachel Hansen // November 2023

Kathy Hays

We are honored to have  join us this week for to answer your questions on using geography to help students understand history and the world around us. A Distinguished AP Human Geography educator and National Geographic Explorer, she is passionate about designing learning experiences that compel students to engage in meaningful, authentic projects in their communities, where they can build relationships that produce sustainable change the world. Rachel leads her students in using geography to take action in their own community.

As a Big History educator, Rachel has included geography in her instruction to help students understand the impact of both human and physical geography on world history.  In honor of Geography Awareness Week this month, she will answer your questions on incorporating geography skills into your history instruction.

To help get started, Rachel recommends checking out the following resources:

What questions do you have for Rachel? Here are some ideas you may want to consider:

  • What are the best ways to incorporate geography into a history course?
  • Why is it important to use geography when teaching history?
  • How can I make geography engaging for students?

Share your questions in the comments below. We look forward to exploring the world with you!

Want to learn even more about incorporating geography into your history instruction? Check out the recording of our recent OER Project Skills Clinic - Mapping History.

Parents

  • Well  you've already got me rethinking my lesson plan for tomorrow!

    I was planning to introduce Imperialism (ca. 1750-1914) with political cartoons and a lesson on the Berlin Conference. However, I just noticed that Esri has an inquiry that seems to cover the same content, but with a pretty awesome interactive map option. As I am considering an eleventh hour revision for tomorrow, I am wondering: would you suggest working through the map as an instructor-led activity the first time around? Or are students usually comfortable enough with the platform to navigate it independently?

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  • Well  you've already got me rethinking my lesson plan for tomorrow!

    I was planning to introduce Imperialism (ca. 1750-1914) with political cartoons and a lesson on the Berlin Conference. However, I just noticed that Esri has an inquiry that seems to cover the same content, but with a pretty awesome interactive map option. As I am considering an eleventh hour revision for tomorrow, I am wondering: would you suggest working through the map as an instructor-led activity the first time around? Or are students usually comfortable enough with the platform to navigate it independently?

Children
  • in reply to Anne Koschmider

    Hi, Anne! Kudos to you for considering something new in the eleventh hour. :) I would recommend doing an instructor-led inquiry the first time through. I've found that students are generally unfamiliar with using any kind of Geographic Information System (GIS) that requires them to manipulate layers of data. You might find that after doing the first few sections together, they're ready! But don't be surprised if they need a bit more support. I'd love to hear how it goes!

    Also, make sure to modify the PDF to remove the answers! They are italicized and in brackets. Here's how to modify. 

    1. Download the PDF.
    2. Open your Word processor. 
    3. Click "Open"
    4. Open the PDF in Word. 
    5. You should be able to edit.
  • in reply to Rachel Hansen

    That's great advice. Thanks, Rachel! I was trying to figure out how to get the questions and directions to students in an efficient way (hopefully without recreating them in another doc).