On the occasion of the 84th anniversary of the foundation of the Instituto Geográfico Universitario (IGU).
The Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD), through the Faculty of Sciences (FC), hosted the conference “Innovation in geographic education in the Dominican Republic: Lessons from the teaching experience”, as part of the activities commemorating the 84th anniversary of the founding of the Instituto Geográfico Universitario (IGU).
The conference, held virtually, was given by geography professors and IGU researchers, Jorge Quezada and Estrella del Mar Tena, respectively.
The opening remarks were given by the director of the School of Geography, Alejandro Hernández, who said that an interesting way to celebrate IGU’s anniversary is to present the results of the studies carried out by the institute.
He added that the speakers showed their vast experience in the subject and shared interesting research findings, as well as analysis of experiences learned by teachers in the classroom, which are of great contribution to improve the quality of teaching and teaching practice in the field of Geography.
Estrella del Mar emphasized that according to the results of her research “Geoliteracy in Dominican secondary education: analysis of teacher training and perceptions”, the country’s secondary school teachers lack sufficient and updated training in Geography.
He said that among the many weaknesses that teachers have to improve classroom teaching on Geography, the most important is the handling, use and interpretation of maps and plans, including advanced cartography and map making, as well as the use of technology and digital tools.
He suggested that in order to strengthen geography education, it is essential to integrate international approaches to geo-literacy, which incorporates into teaching practices a geographic education that develops in students the ability to make informed decisions about territorial interrelationships.
He pointed out that the curricula of undergraduate education programs should be reviewed and updated, continuing education programs in geography should be integrated for teachers, and a quality assurance system should be promoted to evaluate and monitor the programs offered by teacher training institutions.
Meanwhile, Mr. Quezada, who is a geographer and surveyor with more than 35 years of teaching experience, agreed with Ms. Tena’s findings, making special emphasis on the fact that in order to improve training in the area, it is necessary to start from preschool, elementary and middle school education where the knowledge, skills, abilities and necessary understanding of Geography for daily, social and political life are developed.
“Geography as a science seems that it has not had its turn to make its entry into Dominican schools,” he stressed.
He explained that there is a great lack of knowledge about the basic elements and concepts of geographic sciences, in students who come to university classrooms to study social sciences and in the majority of Dominican citizens.
He said that the students who aspire to be teachers of Social Sciences are observed in a high percentage apathetic (insensitive) to the social problems of their community, their country and the rest of the world, becoming “useful fools”, individuals who repeat all the imbecilities that are presented in the classrooms, but are not able to relate the acquired knowledge to anything.
In the activity were connected academics of the FC, teachers of Geography of the basic and middle levels, as well as students of that career at the UASD.
Source:Acento.com.do
