Abstract:

This lab has been developed over a period of about ten years as an alternative to students writing yet another research paper. Although writing is incorporated into the lab by default, its focus is around a structured analysis of a photographic image students compose themselves. The process requires the student to engage in a wide range of applied upper level reasoning, from making choices about the appropriate image to be used for the assignment to limiting their expatiations on the image to an accurate analysis and cogent delivery of the description of its content.

Visual observation is a basic component to the study of geography. With generally limited resources for field studies in introductory classes (but fully understanding the power of this method of study), a practical way of implementing observation is through the analysis of photographs. In this field exercise, students are directed to take a still picture in either digital or analog format of either a physical or cultural phenomenon. Then, by engaging the use of a standardize qualitative analysis model, they analyze these images.

Additionally, the lab satisfies a component of the affective domain of the contemporary visually-based learner. It also encourages the learner in the use of upper level reasoning techniques germane to a field experience in geography. Through engagement with the lab, students will validate their comprehension of geographic concepts reinforce their understanding of content specific vocabulary as well as develop skills in synthesizing the aspects of spatial reasoning within a study of geography. Finally, their findings further reinforce the applicational aspects of geography with that of their everyday world.

Keywords:

Image analysis, geography education, perceptions, creative investigations, field studies.