Geographical education

Title of session: Geography Education and Learning Innovations

Organizers:

Carl Donert                         University of Salzburg

Dimitar Zhelev                   Sofia University

Maya Wasilewa                  Sofia University

Georgi Kotsev                     Sofia University

The fast evolution of geospatial technologies and interdisciplinary studies change the modern perceptions of basic geographical knowledge. Geography education at schools and universities faces a lot of challenges in terms of applicability and usefulness of the obtained knowledge and skills. Moreover the business requires professional abilities that nowadays are rarely incorporated in education. We observe a global trend of education that needs to catch up the development of technologies and science in order to be in reliable service to social and economic needs.

At the same point there are great examples of geography-themed learning innovations, NGO initiatives, web tools, etc. around the world that enrich and facilitate the educational process. They literately bring new horizons and perspectives of studying our planet Earth. There are developed either by efficiently planned and implemented governmental education policies or by individual initiatives skillfully performed by individuals, local educational authorities, startups, NGOs, etc..

The both trends of challenges and innovations in geography education occur simultaneously in the recent years. The Geography Education and Learning Innovations topic of the International Conference Smart Geography aims to display the variety of solutions, innovations, key studies and good practices. They would provide beneficial outcomes and results for the stakeholders (schools, parents, students, business, science, etc.) in the geography education process.

The goal of this session is to bring together researchers and educators who work on the following topics and more:

Geography education and learning innovations in primary and secondary school education

Geography education and learning innovations in university education

Geography in society – popularization, social entrepreneurship and NGO sector

Planned output

The conference papers can be published in:

Peer-reviewed book in Springer series on Key Challenges in Geography

Special Issue in European Journal of Geography

Special Issue in Journal of Bulgarian Geographical Society

Special Issue in Journal Problems of Geography

Looking forward to welcoming your contribution to this session!