Geosystems Core

Brief, flexible, modular approach for today’s students

• Key geographical concepts are presented as two-page modules that can stand on their own and be read in any order. Instructors can assign these flexible modules in whatever sequence best suits their course and teaching style. Each module in the text contains only the most essential content for any concept. The focused presentation prevents students from becoming lost in unnecessary detail.
• A vibrant and contemporary art and photo program places captivating visuals at center stage as the primary teaching tool with the narrative seamlessly integrated. Information is presented in an engaging and highly accessible format for the non-science major.

• QR Links to over 100 Animations and Videos provide just-in-time reinforcement to learners as they read, giving instant mobile access to visualizations from robust science sources such as NASA/JPL, FEMA, and NOAA.

Give students a reliable and visual learning path

• The unique Earth systems approach organizes the chapters around atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere, following the natural flow of energy, materials, and information to present topics in the same sequence in which they occur in nature.
• Christopherson, Cunha, and Thomsen’s structured learning path and tightly integrated pedagogy give students a reliable, consistent framework for mastering the chapter concepts:
• The introductory chapter gives an applied overview of the fundamentals of physical geography, including mapping, geospatial technology, the Scientific Method, and Earth Systems Science.
• The chapter-opening Key Concepts list the learning objectives for each chapter. Each section of the chapter is tied to a specific learning objective, providing students with a clear learning path to the chapter content.
• GeoChecks and GeoQuizzes are integrated into each module, enabling students to check their understanding as they read the module sections, for a “read a little, do a little” approach that is engaging, and that fosters active critical thinking.
• Chapters conclude with a Chapter Review that includes a module-by-module summary with integrated Review Questions, Critical Thinking exercises, Visual Analysis activities, Interactive Mapping activities using MapMaster, and Explore activities using Google Earth.

Engage students by connecting geography to their real-world environment

• Unique two-page GeoLab capstone modules integrate a lab experience directly into the book without the need for a separate lab manual or lab section, enabling students to get hands-on with the data and tools of physical geography. Each GeoLab includes an online component in Mastering™ Geography that can be assigned and automatically graded.
• The Human Denominator end-of-chapter features explicitly focus on the human-Earth dimension of physical geography within context of the chapter topic. They include maps (spatial data), real-world examples (photos), and review of both current and potential future issues that help engage students by connecting physical geography concepts to their real-world environment.

Present the latest climate change science and data

• Standalone Climate Change Chapter presents the most up-to-date and comprehensive coverage of climate change science and data, including the 2013-2014 IPCC 5^th Assessment Report. The chapter covers paleoclimatology and mechanisms for past climate change, climate feedbacks and the global carbon budget, the evidence and causes of present change, climate forecasts and models, and actions we can take to moderate Earth’s changing climate.

• Mobile Field Trips by acclaimed geoscientist, photographer, and pilot Michael Collier transport students out into the field to explore the patterns and processes of North America’s physical geography. Teachers can assign the videos with quizzes in Mastering Geography to assess student understanding.
• Project Condor Quadcopter Videos capture stunning footage of the Mountain West region with a quadcopter and a GoPro camera. The videos include annotation, sketching, and narration to improve how students learn about monoclines, streams, terraces, and so much more. Teachers can assign the videos with quizzes in Mastering Geography to assess student understanding.
• MapMaster 2.0 Interactive Map Activities are inspired by GIS, allowing students to layer various thematic maps to analyze spatial patterns and data at regional and global scales. Now fully mobile, with enhanced analysis tools, students can geolocate themselves in the data and upload their own data for advanced map making and spatial data analysis. This tool includes zoom and annotation functionality, with hundreds of map layers leveraging recent data from sources such as the PRB, the World Bank, NOAA, NASA, USGS, United Nations, the CIA, and more.
• GeoLab Activities are online, automatically-graded, and data-rich applied lab activities.
• Video Activities from sources such as the BBC, Financial Times, and Television for the Environment’s Life and Earth Report series provide students with applied real-world examples of physical geography in action, a sense of place, and allow students to explore a range of locations and topics.
• GeoTutor Activities help students master the most challenging physical geoscience concepts with highly visual, kinesthetic activities focused on critical thinking and the application of core geoscience concepts.
• Geoscience Animations help students visualize the most challenging processes in the physical geosciences with schematic animations that include audio narration. Animations include assignable multiple-choice quizzes with specific wrong answer feedback to help guide students toward mastery of these core physical process concepts.
• Encounter Physical Geography Google Earth Activities provide rich, interactive Google Earth explorations of physical geography concepts, helping students visualize and explore Earth’s landscape and physical processes. Available with multiple-choice and short-answer questions, all explorations include corresponding Google Earth KMZ media files, and questions include hints and specific wrong-answer feedback to help coach students toward mastery of the concepts.
• Map Projections media help reinforce and remediate students on basic but challenging Chapter 1 map projection concepts.
• Dynamic Study Modules help students study effectively on their own by continuously assessing their activity and performance in real time. Here's how it works: students complete a set of questions with a unique answer format that also asks them to indicate their confidence level. Questions repeat until the student can answer them all correctly and confidently. Once completed, Dynamic Study Modules explain the concept using materials from the text. These are available as graded assignments prior to class, and accessible on smartphones, tablets, and computers. NEW! Instructors can now remove questions from Dynamic Study Modules to better fit their course.
• Learning Catalytics helps you generate class discussion, customize your lecture, and promote peer-to-peer learning with real-time analytics. As a student response tool, Learning Catalytics uses students’ smartphones, tablets, or laptops to engage them in more interactive tasks and thinking.
• NEW! Upload a full PowerPoint^® deck for easy creation of slide questions
• NEW! Team names are no longer case sensitive
• Help your students develop critical thinking skills
• Monitor responses to find out where your students are struggling
• Rely on real-time data to adjust your teaching strategy
• Automatically group students for discussion, teamwork, and peer-to-peer learning
• eText 2.0 optimized for mobile
• eText 2.0 mobile app offers offline access and can be downloaded for most iOS and Android phones/tablets from the Apple App Store or Google Play
• Seamlessly integrated videos and other rich media
• Accessible (screen-reader ready)
• Configurable reading settings, including resizable type and night reading mode
• Instructor and student note-taking, highlighting, bookmarking, and search