The problems of learning geography: overview of foreign studies

The article concerns the difficulties of learning geography in junior high school students and adolescents as they are reflected in foreign publications. It also discusses the effective teaching methods to be used by educators. Research results obtained by scientists from the United States, Ireland, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, China, Japan and other countries are analyzed in comparison with data of Russian researches. The article substantiates that people today need the knowledge of geography and therefore this subject must be present in the primary school curriculum as a part of an integral course, and in primary school as a separate academic discipline. It is possible to develop spatial and systematic thinking in students and to shape their worldviews by means of a school course in geography. However, the current state of this school subject does not meet the expectations of educators and scientists. The analyzed studies demonstrate the drop of interest to learning geography, as it is thought to be difficult. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of possible difficulties that students with mild disabilities may confront with in the course of their study of geography. We describe how to cope with potential problems and describe the teaching methods which are the most efficient and effective in improving the quality of geographical education. All studies are of great importance for the practice of education, because geographically literate person is able to take care of our planet, appreciate it, live harmoniously in a closely interdependent world

1. Bakhir M.A. Metod sinektiki v issledovatel'skoi deyatel'nosti uchashchikhsya pri obuchenii geografii v shkole [The method of sylectics in the research activities of students in teaching geography at school]. Geografiya: problemy nauki i obrazovaniya: materialy ezhegodnoi nauch.-prakt. konf. «Gertsenovskie chteniya» [Geography: problems of science and education: materials of the annual scientific and practical. conference «Herzen readings»]. Saint-Petersburg: Asterion, 2012, pp. 364–367. (In Russ.).
2. Gorbanev V.A. Eshche raz o edinoi geografii [More about uniform geography]. Mezhdunarodnyi nauchno-issledovatel'skii zhurnal [International Research Journal], 2016, vol. 10, no. 52, part 4, pp. 53–58. doi:10.18454/IRJ.2016.52.121 (In Russ.; Abstr. in Engl.).
3. Koksharova N.M. Sinektika kak instrument kompetentnostnogo podkhoda [Synectics as a tool of competence approach]. Izvestiya Volgogradskogo gosudarstvennogo pedagogicheskogo universiteta [Ivzestia of the Volgograd State Pedagogical University], 2017, no. 4(117), pp. 40–55. Available at: https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/sinektika-kak-instrument-kompetentnostnogo-podhoda (Accessed 20.02.2019). (In Russ.; Abstr. in Engl.).
4. Maksakovskii V.P. O nekotorykh problemakh modernizatsii obrazovaniya v Rossii [On some problems of the modernization of education in Russia]. Geografiya v shkole [Geography at school], 2014, no. 8, pp. 7–13. (In Russ.).
5. Melyshkova-Poddubnaya M.A., Podbolotova M.I. Metod situatsionnogo modelirovaniya kak resurs sistemnodeyatel'nostnogo podkhoda v obuchenii geografii [The method of situational modeling as a resource system-based approach to teaching geography]. Vestnik Moskovskogo gorodskogo pedagogicheskogo universiteta. Seriya: Estestvennye nauki [Bulletin of the Moscow City Pedagogical University. Series: Natural Sciences], 2013, no. 2, pp. 102–108. (In Russ.).
6. Mikheeva V.S. Metodologicheskie problemy matematicheskogo modelirovaniya v geografii [Methodological problems of mathematical modeling in geography]. Teoreticheskaya geografiya [Theoretical geography]. Moscow: Mysl', 1971, pp. 76–81. (In Russ.).
7. Sanina S.P. Komp'yuternoe modelirovanie v issledovatel'skoi deyatel'nosti uchashchikhsya [Methodological problems of mathematical modeling in geography]. Pedagogicheskie tekhnologii [Theoretical geography], 2005, no. 4, pp. 36–45. (In Russ.).
8. Sanina S.P. Model'nyi metod obucheniya kak instrument formirovaniya u shkol'nikov uchebnogo deistviya modelirovaniya [Model teaching method as a tool for shaping the educational action of modeling for schoolchildren]. Pedagogicheskie tekhnologii [Pedagogical technologies], 2008, no. 1, pp. 46-55. (In Russ.).
9. Sanina S.P. Rol' problemno zadachnoi tekhnologii v razvitii kompetentsii obuchayushchikhsya (na primere uchebnogo predmeta geografii) [The role of the problem-specific technology in the development of students' competencies (on the example of the academic subject of geography)]. Sovremennoe obrazovanie [Modern education], 2017, no. 3, pp. 28–35. doi:10.25136/2409-8736.2017.3.23658 (In Russ.; Abstr. in Engl.).
10. Solodukhina N.N. Primenenie modelirovaniya v obuchenii geografii v usloviyakh realizatsii FGOS osnovnogo obshchego obrazovaniya [Elektronnyi resurs] [The use of modeling in teaching geography under the conditions of the implementation of the Federal State Educational Standards of basic general education]. Vestnik Moskovskogo gorodskogo pedagogicheskogo universiteta. Seriya: Estestvennye nauki [Bulletin of the Moscow City Pedagogical University. Series: Natural Sciences], 2016. no. 4, pp. 100–107. Available at: https://elibrary.ru/item.asp?id=27310297 (Accessed 04.03.2019). (In Russ.; Abstr. in Engl.).
11. Ukropova A.V. Vliyanie razvivayushchikh obrazovatel'nykh situatsii v predmetnoi oblasti «Okruzhayushchii mir» na formirovanie metapredmetnykh kompetentsii obuchayushchikhsya vtorykh klassov [The influence of developing educational situations in the subject world «The world around us» on the formation of the meta-subject competencies of students in the second classes]. Psikhologo-pedagogicheskie issledovaniya [Psychological and pedagogical research], 2017, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 15–22. doi:10.17759/psyedu.2017090102 (In Russ.; Abstr. in Engl.).
12. Chutko N.Ya. L.V. Zankov i formirovanie nachal'nykh znanii po istorii [Elektronnyi resurs] [Zankov and the formation of basic knowledge of history]. Zankov.ru. Available at: http://zankov.ru/about/theory/article=13/ (Accessed 04.03.2019). (In Russ.).
13. Anđelković S., Dedjanski V., Pejic B. Pedagogical benefits of fieldwork of the students at the Faculty of Geography in the light of the Bologna Process. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 2018, vol. 42, no. 1, pp. 110–125. doi:10.1080/03098265.2017.1379058
14. Collins L. The Impact of Paper Versus Digital Map Technology on Students' Spatial Thinking Skill Acquisition. Journal of Geography, 2018, vol. 117, no. 4, pp. 137–152. doi:10.1080/00221341.2017.1374990
15. Environmental and Scientific Education Teacher Guidelines [Elektronnyi resurs]. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE). Available at: https://www.sess.ie/resources/curricular-material (Accessed 10.01.2019).
16. Hopwood N. UK high school pupils' conceptions of geography: research findings and methodological implications. International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 2009, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 185–197. doi:10.1080/10382040903054016
17. Jadallah M. et al. Integrating Geospatial Technologies in Fifth-Grade Curriculum: Impact on Spatial Ability and Map-Analysis Skills. Journal of Geography, 2017, vol. 116, no. 4, pp. 139–151. doi:10.1080/00221341.2017.1285339
18. Ishikawa Т. Spatial Thinking in Geographic Information Science: Students' Geospatial Conceptions, Map-Based Reasoning, and Spatial Visualization Ability. Annals of the American Association of Geographers, 2016, vol. 101, no. 4, pp. 76–95. doi:10.1080/00045608.2015.1064342
19. Karen T. Critical Intersections of Knowledge and Pedagogy: Why the Geographic Literacy of Preservice Elementary Teachers Matter? [Elektronnyi resurs]. Review of International Geographical Education Online, 2015, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 249–273. Available at: http://dergipark.gov.tr/rigeo/issue/40885/493625 (Accessed 10.01.2019).
20. Karkdijk J., Čipková E., Mázorová H. Application of digital technologies in the geography teaching process from the teachers’ perspective. International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 2016, vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 328–343. doi:10.1080/10382046.2016.1207992
21. Karkdijk J., Čipková E., Mázorová H. Students' geographical relational thinking when solving mysteries. International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 2018. Latest Articles. doi:10.1080/10382046.2018.1426304
22. Kaya N. Main Challenges in Front of the Teachers to Teach Geography More Effectively: A Phenomenological Research [Elektronnyi resurs]. Review of International Geographical Education Online, 2018, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 371–393. Available at: http://dergipark.gov.tr/rigeo/issue/40904/494028 (Accessed 10.01.2019).
23. Kidman G. School geography: what interests students, what interests teacher? International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 2017, vol. 27, no 4, pp. 311–325. doi:10.1080/10382046.2017.1349374
24. Kocalar A.O., Demirkaya H. Geography Teachers’ Views on Effective Geography Teaching [Elektronnyi resurs]. Review of International Geographical Education Online (RIGEO), 2017, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 332–346. Available at: http://dergipark.gov.tr/download/article-file/590221 (Accessed 10.01.2019).
25. Larsen T., Harrington Jr. Developing a Learning Progression for Place. Journal of Geography, 2018, vol. 117, no. 3, pp. 100–118. doi:10.1080/00221341.2017.1337212
26. Likouri A., Klonari A., Flouris G. Relationship of Pupils’ Spatial Perception and Ability with Their Performance in Geography [Elektronnyi resurs]. Review of International Geographical Education Online, 2017, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 154–170. Available at: http://dergipark.gov.tr/rigeo/issue/40887/493149 (Accessed 10.01.2019).
27. Mackie P., Kazmierczak A. Bridging the Divide: The Potential Role of Contemporary Geographical Research in Schools. Journal of Geography, 2017, vol. 116, no. 5, pp. 187–196. doi:10.1080/00221341.2016.1267787
28. Metoyer S., Bednarz R. Spatial Thinking Assists Geographic Thinking: Evidence from a Study Exploring the Effects of Geospatial Technology. Journal of Geography, 2016, vol. 116, no. 1, pp. 20–33. doi:10.1080/00221341.2016.1175495
29. Munazza F. Perceptions of Geography as a Discipline among Students of Different Academic Levels in Pakistan [Elektronnyi resurs]. Review of International Geographical Education Online, 2016, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 67–85. Available at: http://dergipark.gov.tr/rigeo/issue/40906/493025 (Accessed 10.01.2019).
30. Oda K. Concept Maps as a Tool to Analyse College Students’ Knowledge of Geospatial Concepts [Elektronnyi resurs]. Review of International Geographical Education Online, 2016, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 176–198. Available at: http://dergipark.gov.tr/rigeo/issue/40907/493277 (Accessed 10.01.2019).
31. Raath S., Golightly A. Geography Education Students' Experiences with a Problem-Based Learning Fieldwork Activity. Journal of Geography, 2017, vol. 116, no. 5, pp. 217–225. doi:10.1080/ 00221341.2016.1264059
32. Rajović G., Bulatović J. Geography Education Research in Serbia: a Teacher’s Perspective. European Journal of Contemporary Education, 2017, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 100–125. doi:10.13187/ejced.2017.1.100
33. Sağdiç M., Demirkaya H. Evaluation of interdisciplinary teaching approach in geography education. Elektronik Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 2014, vol. 13, no. 49, pp. 386–410. doi:10.17755/esosder.30182
34. Shimura T. Primary Geography Education in Japan: Curriculum as Social Studies, Practices and Teachers’ Expertise [Elektronnyi resurs]. Review of International Geographical Education Online, 2015, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 151–165. Available at: http://dergipark.gov.tr/rigeo/issue/40876/493476 (Accessed 10.01.2019).
35. Stoltman J., Lidstone J, Kidman G. The 2016 International Charter on Geographical Education. International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 2017, vol. 26, no. 1, pp. 1–2. doi:10.1080/10382046.2017.1272849
36. Xhomara N. Teaching approaches in geography curriculum in lower secondary education [Elektronnyi resurs]. ResearchGate, 21 p. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329371836_Teaching_approaches_in_geography_curriculum_in_lower_secondary_education (Accessed 10.01.2019).
37. Xuan Х., Duan Y., Sun Y. Primary Geography Education in China: Past, Current and Future [Elektronnyi resurs]. Review of International Geographical Education Online, 2015, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 111–136. Available at: http://dergipark.gov.tr/rigeo/issue/40876/493446 (Accessed 10.01.2019).
38. Yazıcı Ö. Obstacles and ways of overcoming geography. Journal of National Academy of Education [Elektronnyi resurs]. Review of International Geographical Education Online, 2018, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 34–53. Available at: http://dergipark.gov.tr/uead/issue/36657/393094 (Accessed 10.01.2019).
39. Béneker Т. et al. Young people's world-mindedness and the global dimension in their geography education: a comparative study of upper secondary school students’ ideas in Finland, Germany and the Netherlands. International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 2013, vol. 22, no. 4, pp. 322–336. doi:10.1080/10382046.2013.826544