Lines of communication

Yuan Xiao effortlessly draws with chalk on the blackboard, as he explains the distribution of ocean currents to a roomful of students.

It takes about a minute before a map of continental plates emerges, on which he highlights the direction of the ocean currents, while waxing lyrical on their influence over vegetation near their path.

The vivid explanation, through informative hand-drawn graphics, is routine for 20-something Yuan, who is currently teaching geography at the Jinan University Town Experimental Senior High School in Shandong province.

Last year, Yuan's ability to draw blackboard illustrations that break down abstract geographical knowledge went viral online. One of the most popular educational videos featuring his teaching methods received more than 720,000 likes on Douyin.

Yuan first noticed how most of his students perceived geography when he started his teaching career three years ago.

"Some of them jokingly referred to it as a mystery, because of its extensive and complex points," Yuan says, adding that the subject can sometimes strain the students' sense of logic.

However, after spending time in Yuan's class, the students' stereotypical views about geography have been dispelled.

Although his school has projectors, Yuan believes that compared to slides, traditional blackboard presentation is more conducive to understanding and mastery of the subject matter, as well as enhancing memory of key points.

"You've got to show the logic every step of the way, and in a manner that makes an impression," he says.