The Byte-Sized Human Geography Podcast

In this episode of Byte-Sized Human Geography we discuss how to make the 2020-21 school year your best ever!  Take charge of your academic career with timeless tips for success.

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Listener Notes:

1:35 - Impact of social media on amygdala

8:55 - Use of Pinterest for note-taking/study techniques

10:05 - Pomodoro technique for time management

12:15 - Manual note-taking

13:42 - Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve

15:56 - Positive thinking/visualization for success

Additional Resources:

Pomodoro Technique

Ebbinghaus' Forgetting Curve

Pinterest Note-Taking

Extraordiary Power of Visualizing Success

In this episode of Byte-Sized Human Geography we discuss managing the worst part of testing -- the stress involved in taking tests.  We investigate why stress occurs before and during testing, and also present several research-based strategies to help get you in the right frame of mind for your tests.

This is Human Geography byte-sized -- big concepts in small chunks of time for all learners at every level. It's Human Geography, made simple!

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Email your questions and podcasts ideas to [email protected]

Listener Resources:
Explanation of Box Breathing
Box Breathing
Calm Breathing Bubble
Anxiety Coaches Podcast
Yoga for Anxiety
How the Amygdala Affects Anxiety
Proper Breathing Brings Better Health
The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative
Cool Box Breathing Visualization

In this episode of Byte-Sized Human Geography we review demographic transition and how the apocalyptic nightmare of a severely overcrowded planet will not come to pass.  We also discuss some amazingly positive global demographic trends using the Demographic Transition model.

This is Human Geography byte-sized - big concepts in small chunks of time for learners at every level. It's Human Geography, made simple!

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Listener Notes:

Vocabulary -

CBR - crude birth rate - the annual number of births per 1,000 population

CDR - crude death rate - the annual number of deaths per 1,000 population

NIR - natural increase rate - population growth measured as the excess of live births over deaths; formula is CBR-CDR/1000

Population pyramids - visual representation of the age and sex composition of a population whereby the percentage of each age cohort represented by a horizontal bar the length of which represents its relationship to the total population. 

Dependency ratio - number of persons in the "dependent" ages (under 15 and over 64 years) compared to those in the "economically productive" ages (15-64 years) in a population

Additional Learning Resources -

Negative Population Growth

Population Pyramid Website

TEDed - Population Pyramids

Adult Diapers 9 Billion Market

Our World In Data Rabbit Hole of Population Information =)

Millennials are Picking Pets Over People

In this episode of Byte-Sized Human Geography, college money-saving tips are the focus.  We look at how Advanced Placement classes can save years of time and tens of thousands of dollars for prospective college students. In addition, we break down how college credits work and how AP classes fit beautifully within the college system.  

This is Human Geography byte-sized -- big concepts in small chunks of time for all learners at every level. It's Human Geography, made simple!

Support this podcast by clicking “Subscribe” to get the latest updates as they happen.

Email your questions and podcasts ideas to [email protected]

Listener Resources:

AP - College Board Website

College AP Credit Policies

Are AP Classes Worth It?

Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment as Related to College Readiness and Retention at a Tennessee University

What I Wish Someone Told Me Before Taking a Gap Year

Should You Take a Gap Year?

UT Cost of Education Calculator

In this episode of Byte-Sized Human Geography, China is again front and center.  We take a brief look at the relationship between the United States and China, then we consider possible outcomes with China, the United States, and other countries.   Starting with the 2016 US election and moving on to swiftly moving current events, we examine the signs of what’s to come on the geopolitical chess board.

This is Human Geography byte-sized -- big concepts in small chunks of time for all learners at every level. It's Human Geography, made simple!

Support this podcast by clicking “Subscribe” to get the latest updates as they happen.

Email your questions and podcasts ideas to [email protected]

Listener Notes:

Vis-a-vis -  in relationship to, with regards to

Articles: 

Japan to Pay Companies to Move Out of China

It's Time for Conscious Uncoupling with China

NY Mag - It's Time for Conscious Uncoupling with China

Time to Put China on Lockdown

In the Post-Coronavirus World Don't Write Off American Leadership

China Belt and Road Initiative Debt Trip Diplomacy

Hasbro, Inc. Joins Companies Leaving China's Factories

In this episode of the Byte-Sized Human Geography Podcast, we discuss everyone’s favorite topic—food!  Most specifically, we look at the relationship between a country's economic development and the way in which food is produced focusing on subsistence and commercial agriculture. 

This is Human Geography byte-sized -- big concepts in small chunks of time for all learners at every level. It's Human Geography, made simple!

Support this podcast by clicking “Subscribe” to get the latest updates as they happen.

Email your questions and podcasts ideas to [email protected]

Listener Notes: 

Ecumene -  (Greek term) habitable part of the Earth 

• Great chunks of Earth aren’t habitable 70% is water, of the land surfaces 30% are deserts
• Most stats say we live on about 2% of the Earth’s surface
• Agricultural density - higher the number, the more people are involved in food production; lower, less.  Tells you about development of a region.  
  • Higher = less developed, less technology, more people have to work to bring in the harvest.  Also tells you lower education levels across the board — you don’t have time for school if you are trying to feed your family.
  • Lower = more developed, more technology, GIS, amazing machines, high tech stuff!  Fewer people are needed leaving them to pursue other interests like education; also leads to rise in leisure time 
  • Comparison - 2-3% of United States are directly involved in agricultural production India, China, most Sub-Saharan Africa - 60% involved in agriculture
  • Countries cannot continue to develop unless you get food supply is stabilized

High Agricultural Density - Subsistence Farming 

• More people are fed by this than any other type of farming, just enough to feed your family, most farmers are women.
• Think about the social standing of women in most LDCs-very low, not able to own land, get loans, buy equipment 
  • Uses a process called shifting cultivation—“slash and burn”, not the same as letting field lay fallow 
    • Process = Cut trees -> burn and nutrients go into soil ->lasts only for a few seasons and then farmers have to shift.
    • Because of low education levels, poor farming practices, lots of waste at production end, raw food never makes it to market

Low Agricultural Density - Commercial Farming

• Highly technical, tons of schooling involved, not just putting something in the ground and watching it grow
• High tech - drones, GIS, GMOs, fertilizers, vertical farming  
• Agribusiness  own all layers of production which is vertical integration Archer Daniels Midland, Cargill, Nestle, Conagra
• Strictly regulated/guidelines, have to buy their seeds, chemicals, etc.

Final Thoughts -  in LDCs 30% raw food rots before it can get to market due to poor infrastructure - roads, bridges in bad shape;  in MDCs - 50% of food is thrown out at the point of consumption — its never eaten. think about water waste, chemical waste;  

Experiment — Look at your dairy and food with expiration dates.  Use your senses rather than the date before you throw it out.  This is a great way to help you reduce your food waste.

Books - Michael Pollan - The Omnivore’s Dilemma, Cooked

Documentaries - Cooked on Netflix (my favorite episode is “Water”)

In this episode of Byte-Sized Human Geography, we unpack the latest updates by the College Board with regard to AP tests for Spring 2020.  We look specifically at dates, how the exam is structured, consequences of cheating, and ways to help you prepare for this year’s exam. This is Human Geography byte-sized - big concepts in small chunks of time for all learners at every level. It's Human Geography, made simple!

Support this podcast by clicking “Subscribe” to get the latest updates as they happen.

Email your questions and podcasts ideas to [email protected]

Listener Notes:
Dates - students polled —wanted earlier exam dates -- didn't want to forget material

• May 12th  - first date, everyone at same time taking it worldwide, check the AP website for your timezone 
• June 1st backup date, you’ll have to get permission from AP administrators at school to do this. 

 Exam Structure - 2 FRQs 

• FRQ 1 - 25 minutes to take, 5 minutes to upload - 2 stimuli   
• FRQ  2 - 15 minute,  5 minutes to upload 1 stimulus material   — stimulus material - maps, charts, graphs, any type of quantitative data - measurable data.

https://apcoronavirusupdates.collegeboard.org/educators/taking-the-exams/ap-exam-schedule

 How are you taking it?

•  College Board spent millions of dollars on a new platform
• You will have several choices - take it on a computer, tablet, phone, and type and respond, or you can take a picture of your exam and upload it. 
• Practice, practice, practice
• CB will be releasing simulations and videos to help you practice

Cheating 

• CB has lots of new tech to detect/prevent  
• Exams are structured to not be able to cheat; not Googleable
• You won’t have time…if you spend all your time looking at your notes, you won’t be able to finish.
•  CB reports you to all the colleges that you sent your info to.  AND… you can never take another CB test ever again — no AP, CLEP, PSAT, SAT tests

How to prepare 

• Vocabulary - understanding and applying main terms of course.  Look at CED for this - highlight the terms you don’t know and find out what they mean.  https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/pdf/ap-human-geography-course-and-exam-description.pdf
• Review notes, teacher PowerPoints, maps - https://lizardpoint.com/  great website to help with that.  Arizona alliance helps with that, too.  https://geoalliance.asu.edu/maps/regions
• Big picture items 
• Look for every opportunity to apply concepts of the class 
  • Coronavirus -> 
    • Population DTM; Epidemiological transition; migration laws, older people, development affecting countries respond 
    • Unit1 Nature & Perspectives - contagious diffusion, relocation diffusion, GIS, Maps - how many have you seen!  distance decay
    • Agriculture - food deserts, supply chains, food/cold chains, subsidies
    • Political - supranational organizations, federalism/unitary, 9 dash line dispute; borders/sovereignty.  
• Netflix has great documentaries:
  • Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
  • World’s Busiest Cities
  • Any food or travel documentary

In this episode of Byte-Sized Human Geography, China is front and center.  We take a brief look back at the relationship with the US and China, then we discuss possible scenarios of what what could happen with their quarter of a trillion dollar relationship in the future. Looking at the current events, it’s possible that we are already seeing signs of what’s to come.

This is Human Geography byte-sized - big concepts in small chunks of time for all learners at every level. It's Human Geography, made simple!

Support this podcast by clicking “Subscribe” to get the latest updates as they happen.

Email your questions and podcasts ideas to [email protected]

Listener Notes:

EEZs - Exclusive Economic Zones - connected to the United Nations Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which says that countries can control from their coastline to 200 nautical miles out - fishing, drilling, etc.

Additional Information:

Census Page of Trade Balances with China

Timeline of China's Modern History

Chinas Nine Dash Line is Dangerous

Great Maps from Wikipedia of SEZs

What China Has Been Building in the South China Sea

Does ASEAN Support US Military Presence in South China Sea

Economic Geography - In this episode of the Byte-Sized Human Geography Podcast, we examine basic vs. non-basic industries and the impact of each on a city or region. With the collapsing service sector of the economy, seeing the relationships between seemingly unrelated industries is critical to understanding the skyrocketing unemployment rates due to the coronavirus. This is Human Geography byte-sized - big concepts in small chunks of time for all learners at every level. It's Human Geography, made simple!

Listener Notes:

Basic Industries - economic foundation for a city; brings money to an urban area from outside the urban area; large auto, steel, computer, tourism, energy industries; have a large multiplier effect

Non-basic Industries - shifts money within the city, but doesn’t bring money from outside the city; “recycled” money; closed system; auto repair, grocery stores, personal services

Resources:

API Report

Energy Jobs 2019 Report

Statista Jobs in Oil and Gas

UH Bauer School Houston Economic Outlook

Support this podcast by clicking “Subscribe” to get the latest updates as they happen.

Email your questions and podcasts ideas to [email protected]

In this episode of the Byte-Sized Human Geography Podcast, we tackle the political geography, most specifically the concept of political systems including: unitary, federal, and confederations.  We discuss the differences in the three, look at real-time applications of federalism with regards to the coronavirus, and discuss what type of writing questions you could expect as a AP Human Geography student.  

This is Human Geography byte-sized - big concepts in small chunks of time for learners at every level. It's Human Geography, made simple!

Support this podcast by clicking “Subscribe” to get the latest updates as they happen.

Email your questions and podcasts ideas to [email protected]


Here is the link to the 2017 Political FRQ:
https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/pdf/ap-human-geography-frq-2017.pdf