With recent advancements in computer technology, geographers have developed Geographic Information Systems and a field called Geographic Information Science. These technologies have demonstrated the utility of the geographic perspective to individuals in a wide variety of occupations. Geographers are becoming much more involved in the economy than they were in the past and the demand for students trained in geography is dramatically increasing. This contrasts with common assumptions that geography is a discipline that is largely focused on teaching young children place names. The AP geography course should approach the study of geography in an analytic framework with the foundation that geographers can help solve significant problems.
Most geographers believe that geography is inherently interesting to nearly everyone.
This assumption can be partially supported by the widespread popularity of National Geographic magazine. Geography in its modern form has been significantly impacted by the Darwinian revolution in the mid-nineteenth century. Although geography as a science existed in German intellectual communities during the early part of the nineteenth century, the major transition in science following the publication of the Origin of had a big impact on geography. Most students have little interest in learning the names and dates of great geographers of the past and their contributions to the field. It is much better to introduce geographic models and concepts in the context of some problem or theme that is interesting to students.