THE ROLE OF GEOGRAPHY IN EDUCATION Moodle

THE ROLE OF GEOGRAPHY IN EDUCATION
2.1 INTRODUCTION
Geography as a subject taught in secondary schools is very important in

preparing the citizens to be of benefit to themselves, society and the
environment. There are different definitions that have been formulated by
scholars. In Zambia the purpose, aims and objectives of teaching geography
are clearly stated in the syllabus.
2.2 AIM
The aim of this unit is to enable you to understand the why it is important
to teach geography in Zambia.
2.3 OBJECTIVES
By the end of this unit you should be able to:
a) discuss what Geography is.

b) analyse why it is important to teach Geography
2.4 DEFINITION OF GEOGRAPHY
For you to reach this level of taking this course, it means you have studied
geography courses at 1st and 2ndyear, you might have learnt it at Grades 10
to 12 and also learnt some geography content in Social Studies at Grades 8,
9. So from this vast experience and in your own words, define geography in
your own words.
Many famous geographers and non-geographers have attempted to define

the discipline. The concept of geography has also changed throughout the
ages, making a definition for such a dynamic and all-encompassing subject
difficult. However here are some of the definitions that have been coined:
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a) The Wikipedia (encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com) defines geography
as the scientific study of the locational and spatial variation in both
physical and human phenomena on earth. The concern of geography,
therefore, is studying where phenomena are on the earth’s surface,
and how they vary over time and space. The physical phenomena are
the rivers, valleys, mountains, hills, plateaus, plains, flora, fauna,
climate, soil, air, minerals and water while the human phenomena are
the human-created surface features such as roads, railways, airports,
bridges, buildings, and so on.
b) The Association of American Geographers states that, Geography is
the science of place and space. Geographers ask where things are
located on the surface of the earth, why they are located where they
are, how places differ from one another, and how people interact with
the environment.
c) "The purpose of geography is to provide 'a view of the whole' earth by
mapping the location of places." - Ptolemy, 150 CE.
d) "Synoptic discipline synthesizing findings of other sciences through
the concept of Raum (area or space)." - Immanuel Kant, c. 1780.
e) "Synthesizing discipline to connect the general with the special
through measurement, mapping, and a regional emphasis." -
Alexander von Humboldt, 1845.
f) "Man in society and local variations in environment." - Halford
Mackinder, 1887.
g) "How environment apparently controls human behaviour." - Ellen
Semple, c. 1911.
h) "Study of human ecology; adjustment of man to natural
surroundings." - Harland Barrows, 1923.
i) "The science concerned with the formulation of the laws governing the
spatial distribution of certain features on the surface of the earth." -
Fred Schaefer, 1953.
j) "To provide accurate, orderly, and rational description and
interpretation of the variable character of the earth surface." - Richard
Hartshorne, 1959.
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k) "Geography is both science and art" - H.C. Darby, 1962.
l) "To understand the earth as the world of man" - J.O.M. Broek, 1965
m) "Geography is fundamentally the regional or chorological science of
the surface of the earth." - Robert E. Dickinson, 1969.
n) "Study of variations in phenomena from place to place." - Holt-Jensen,
1980.
o) "...concerned with the locational or spatial variation in both physical
and human phenomena at the earth's surface" - Martin Kenzer, 1989.
p) "Geography is the study of earth as the home of people" - Yi-Fu Tuan,
1991.
q) "Geography is the study of the patterns and processes of human
(built) and environmental (natural) landscapes, where landscapes
comprise real (objective) and perceived (subjective) space." - Gregg
Wassmansdorf, 1995.
2.5 PURPOSE OF TEACHING GEOGRAPHY
The purpose behind teaching any subject is to educate (Long and Roberson,
1966). The primary purpose of education is to prepare pupils to function
effectively in the future. Any subject worth its name should enable
humankind tackle the problems confronting him/her. In this vein,
Fairgrieve, a British scholar in the 1920’s explained that ‘the real value of
geography lies in the fact that it helps humans to live; it helps humans to
place themselves in the world, to learn their true position, and what their
duties are’ (Long and Roberson, 1966: 8).
There exists today an amazing educational paradox in our society, a society

dedicated to the proposition that the best interests of individuals and of
society alike are served most effectively through the general education of all
its members. There is, on the one hand, ever-increasing need for more
widespread and competent understanding about our world and all its
troubled parts of our own communities and regions.
In addition to the importance of knowing the reasons for teaching

Geography to humans, there is need for you to know and understand the
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aims and objectives of the Zambian School Geography since you will be
teaching the subject after your training.
Thus the subject creates;

‘a geographically informed person, someone who understands people,
places, and environments from a spatial perspective, someone who
appreciates the interdependent world in which we all live. Those worlds all
come together into the contexts that shape our lives: the school, the family,
society in general, and occupations and careers… these contexts matter,
and geography matters because it can help us to understand and
appreciate those contexts’ (National Geographic Education
Guide,http://wwwnationalgeographic.com)
Doubtless, geography has an important place among the subjects taught at
school. However, this place is only meaningful if the subject is taught well.
Maye (1984: 29) argues that “what the subject teaches certainly is
important, but how it is taught is important too, if the aims set for
education are to be met”. If taught well, geography will equip the pupils for
life. Teaching geography well means placing emphasis on teaching both
content and skill. These two will equip the pupils for life because the content
will make them aware of the problems besetting the world today while skill
will enable them tackle such problems today and long after they have left
school. The two together will enable the pupils to develop attitude (or
perspective). (Rowntree, 1982).
If geography is not taught well, on the other hand, it is difficult to achieve

the smallest of goals we set out to attain. Long and Roberson (1966) call this
‘building upon the sand’ or ‘teaching without thought’. In the biblical sense,
building upon sand means that the structure so erected will not stand the
test of time. It will come tumbling down when the slightest of tempests
strikes. This is a waste of time. If, for example, we emphasise content and
ignore skill, the pupils will hold on to the content, memorising it until the
examination, then forget about it soon after the examinations. We will not
have built a geographer. But if we emphasise skill as well, the pupil will use
this skill even in adult life.
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2.6 CONCLUSION
Geography can be defined in many different ways. Wherever this subject is

offered the purpose of teaching geography is stated and emphasised through
aims and objectives that guides the teaching of geography.

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THE ROLE OF GEOGRAPHY IN EDUCATION

Geography as a subject taught in secondary schools is very important in

By the end of this unit you should be able to:

a) discuss what Geography is.

2.4 DEFINITION OF GEOGRAPHY

Many famous geographers and non-geographers have attempted to define

2.5 PURPOSE OF TEACHING GEOGRAPHY

There exists today an amazing educational paradox in our society, a society

In addition to the importance of knowing the reasons for teaching

Thus the subject creates;

If geography is not taught well, on the other hand, it is difficult to achieve

Geography can be defined in many different ways. Wherever this subject is

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