Mr Tony's Geography Stuff

Some interesting spatial analysis here. Not to mention an interesting commentary on the so-called "developed" world. Some questions:

1. Does the presence of McDonalds in Vietnam mean that it is now a "developed" nation?

2. What impact will this have on Vietnamese society?

3. Which chain restaurant will be next?

Thoughts?

I think this an excellent question. For me, it seems to change with each cohort. Some really get in to the natural hazards, some like the skills and others still respond to human geography. The one thing almost all of my students have really enjoyed and appreciated is me sharing my photographs from my travels with them. My feeling is that they sense a stronger connection to what they're looking when they know that it was taken by someone they know personally. Thoughts?

This is interesting. I am somewhat torn here. As a kid I imagined being able to see myself moving on a map and how cool that would be. When I was at university and studied GIS, I could imagine it even more clearly. And now that I can look at my phone and actually see a wee dot on screen moving along the road as the bus/taxi I'm on does, just blows my mind. However, as a teacher I am concerned about the "dumbening" of people, especially kids. People question whether getting kids to physically draw maps & diagrams is relevant these days. Yes, I say! A thousand times, yes! I think is really important that we (all of us not just kids) go analogue sometimes. To read an actual book (especially if it's an atlas!), write or draw something with a pen and/or pencil, use our own brains to do things rather than Google's. We need to exercise our brains in a variety of ways so that we can forge new pathways and strengthen our minds. I'd love to hear other people's thoughts on this. 

This is very interesting article. I think it fits nicely into IB Geography in more than one way. The obvious links are to Populations in Transition and Disparities in Development & Wealth. I'm sure it be used in the optional themes of Urban Environments and Hazards. The article raises a lot of questions. For example,

How do cities cope with high levels of rural migrants?

Whose responsibility is to take are of these people?

Enjoy:)

I'm loving the surge in maps that visualise the data generated by things like Twitter. This kind of map illustrates the patterns are created by the use of digital technology. What I find really interesting is the match up between the data and traditional maps. It's all about interactions!

Even if you find spiders frightening, these images are amazing. I just love the colours. What nature can do!

This fascinating and sad at the same time. Poingant photography.

This is a very thought provoking article. I like seeing the established conventions challanged. I also like the conversations around the sense of superiority possed by the Northern Hemisphere. Enjoy!

I think I've shared stuff from these guys before. This is really cool. Great for IB Geography Hazards. 

This is quite cool.

This is a really interesting idea. I like the recycling angle, as well as the simplicity. Thoughts?

This raises a lot of questions regarding development in South East Asia. Will the governments of the ASEAN keep climate change in mind as they pursue development? I think this is especially pertinent in countries such as Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia. Another issue is the endemic corruption that exists in these countries. Will the good of the people prevail over the greed of those in power?

This is a little bit spooky and raises some very interesting questions.

Is it possible to trick Google's algorithm? If so, how? Should people choose not to use Google if they don't like the way they operate? What are the alternatives? Are they any better? Is this the realisation of Orwellian notion of "Big Brother"?

These images are mind blowing! Such a different way of seeing our star.

This evokes thoughts of insect colonies. Although I also live in an apartment in Singapore, I don't have same sense of claustrophobia that these images create in my mind.

I think she's on to something here. My feeling is that our kids are losing their "grit". Or are they? I know some of the kids I tech spend hours and hours playing online games. That's demonstratin grit, right? The question is how to refocus the attention of these kids in the right direction. To capture them and their attention in a meaningful way. ICT is part of the solution. But there's more to it than that. Kids need to know that being "smart" isn't enough. 

Like most teachers, I enjoy a coffee. I especially love my stove top espresso maker. The coffee is wickedly strong! This infographic gives quite a good breakdown of the pros & cons of coffee. Enjoy:)

This is true. And sad. While I'm no Einstein, I do have very clear memories of being teased because of the stuff I knew. And not just by other kids at school, but by their parents (to a lesser extent) as well. This article also makes me think about the Tea Party situation that arose in the States. It seemed to me that being ignorant of issues was being celebrated and anyone who showed the slightest sign of intelligence was shouted & howled down by the baying beast that is the digital media. It makes think of the Cultural Revolution in China and the Khmer Rouge takeover of Cambodia.