Bibliographic Details
| Title: |
Reflections on Geography: The Worst Taught Subject? A View from Canada. |
| Authors: |
Semple, Stuart1 seemple@mta.ca |
| Source: |
International Research in Geographical & Environmental Education. 2005, Vol. 14 Issue 1, p77-79. 3p. |
| Subject Terms: |
*Geography education, *Curriculum, *Curriculum planning, *Educators, *Education policy, Earth sciences |
| Geographic Terms: |
Ontario, Canada |
| Abstract: |
The article presents the author's reflection on the situation of geographical education in Canada. Unlike other federal states, Canada has no office or department of education at the national level. Nevertheless, curriculum development in Canada may be grouped by region: the Atlantic Provinces, Quebec, Ontario, and a fourth region comprising the western provinces and northern territories. Developments in all four have not always been favorable to geography. Recent changes, notably in Ontario and Quebec have affected particularly the depth, breadth, and sequencing of courses, as well as the opportunity for students to select geography as a major field of study. It is now almost impossible for a student teacher to gain a full credit course in the teaching of geography at any Canadian faculty of education. The author hopes that political and commercial interests are generating a renewed focus on place. The Middle East comes first to mind but is not the only case challenging public knowledge of regional geography. The author suggests for a reawakened interest in place as a traditional goal of geographical study, across all scales as well as both human and physical components of the discipline. |
| Database: |
Education Research Complete |
