Challenges of teaching geography: from the perspective of teachers (case study: high school humanities students)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Management, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Geography Education, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran

10.48310/rsse.2024.15725.1184

Abstract

the main objective of this research is to identify the challenges of teaching geography from the perspective of humanities geography teachers. For this purpose, a qualitative research method (interpretive analysis) was utilized, in conjunction with semi-structured interviews with 20 humanities geography teachers from the second level of high schools in North Khorasan province. The findings showed at least five main issues, titled: 1- Technological challenges with five sub-issues Inclusive of; lack of schools' equipment with geographical tools, interactive maps, GIS, satellite images, and online education; 2- The gap between theory and practice with two sub-issues; lack of connection between conceptual examples and the real world, and the gap between theory and practice; 3- Teaching method challenges with four sub-issues; teachers' lack of awareness of effective teaching methods in geography, time constraints, lack of school support in organizing field trips, and unawareness of the geography curriculum; 4- Resource limitations and shortages with three sub-issues; educational, financial, and experienced human resources; and finally, 5- Content challenges with two sub-issues; complexity of concepts and unawareness of content changes are among the fundamental challenges in geography education as perceived by the participants. The conclusions also include explanations of the issues along with possible solutions.

Keywords