praxis effect

The problem with multiple choice tests. 

Read question 12 (real question from a real test, issued to students).  

None of the optional answers correspond with areas where trees are actually growing.

Therefore, a student may reason, “Maybe there’s a pollution problem with the island (or too rocky) and trees are not able to grow there. Perhaps the flood plain is regularly flooded and trees are not able to grow there because of the moisture variability. The base of the mountain may be an especially poor place for trees to grow due to frequent rock slides. And with climate change, the mountain top may be suitable habit for trees to grow as the area warms, especially since there are already a number of trees growing on the mountain.” 

1904 election map, printed in the New York Times. Found at Fast Co. Designs. Since then, the Democrats & Republicans have reversed the polarity of the Mason-Dixon line. 

tcfusion:

One of the best infographics this year: Walled World

…showing the difference between our globalized world.

(Source: reddit.com, via fuckyeahcartography)

Gotham City Map. (Based on inverted Vancouver map. Hat tip to Canadians.) 

Source: Wikipedia

A cartographic masterpiece. Blends multiple layers of map types and styles into one cohesive theme that is part artistic, part science, part history and pure beauty. You have to look closely at the incredible detail to really appreciate how finely crafted this piece is. 

Cartographer: David Rumsey

Oil locations off the coast of Florida as of June 3, 2010. 

Oil path forecast at 132 days by UCAR (University Corporation for Atmospheric Research).