'Could You Draw A Dot Within 50 Miles Of Your House?': Why The U.S. May Have A Geography Literacy Problem

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Maps are crucial to understanding severe weather threats to various areas — but what good are they if viewers can't read them? (via hereandnow)

, the U.S. has a geography literacy problem. Spann, chief meteorologist at ABC 33/40, asked on air,"If I were to give you a blank map with no labels, no highways, just county lines and state lines, could you draw a dot within 50 miles of your house?"

“I would give them a blank map with county lines and state lines, and I would say put a dot within 50 miles of your house,” Spann tellsSpann started to notice a few years ago that many people didn't understand their local maps. After posting weather maps to social media, he would see 20 to 30 comments from users expressing similar confusion. Their messages would start with the phrase, “What about,” followed by the name of their town.

This is a dangerous problem, he says. A significant number of Americans live in tornado-prone areas, and others may be dealing with different environmental threats, like flooding, earthquakes or tsunamis.

 

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hereandnow I am a SS teacher who uses maps constantly in my classroom and not just in my Geography class. However since Geo is not a state tested/STEM class it is considered unimportant; if cuts have be made electives like Geo are gone first

hereandnow Has anyone from reached out to googlemaps to ask why county view isn't an option to toggle on and off? That would be an easy step to bridge the gap in knowledge. This feature (w townships) would be helpful for local political campaigns, too.

hereandnow With out a doubt. I can point to the exact spot of my house. What morons can’t read a map? This is what electing democrats will get you. a generation of idiots that don’t even know where on a map they live. I’m surprised they can even get out of bed in the morning.

hereandnow Why ... we all have Google to help us ... can’t wait for Google AI ... Google please google me another witty retort and tell me where the hell I am, not just existentially this time!

hereandnow I live in North Carolina and I can pinpoint on the map exactly where I lived in both Tuscaloosa and Columbus

hereandnow But most can turn on their phone, even if they don't know where they are!! or were, or will be!!! Education is pathetic and they can't read time on a clock either!

hereandnow Natural selection

hereandnow schools apparently don't teach things like geography or history.....or how to balance a checkbook or realize the media are a 'for profit' group of losers looking for an easy buck.

hereandnow I personally believe that US Americans can't locate the US, because they don't have maps. The US should help countries like The Iraq and South Africa and everywhere like such as, and our education in the US should help the US, in building up our future for our children.

hereandnow That's why they have hot babes in tight dresses narrating the forecast as they show the map.

hereandnow This is an issue.

hereandnow These things aren't even taught in school anymore. :/

hereandnow From grade school thru high school, we had to use pull down maps that were attached to a blackboard (yes, i'm dating myself). They were invaluable for map reading skills. I still can figure out a map pretty easily. Thank you, old school school.

hereandnow Even worse if you're color blind.

hereandnow Yes, I can certainly pinpoint where I live on a map. However, it’s really hard to believe and sad that the majority of Americans can’t. 😳

hereandnow KeithForkin CoachStrick21 jkea_912 I’m sure your students know how to read a map!

hereandnow I could but I'm kinda nerdy too.

hereandnow Yes... we are stupid and need media education 😂😂

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