Teaching Research Methodology to Geography Undergraduates: rationale and practice in a human geography programme

Recent acknowledgement that geography students should gain knowledge and experience in the research process has not been matched by accounts of how this experience should be taught. In human geography, apart from a small selection of informative textbooks, scholars have remained relatively quiet on the matter of curriculum design and teaching programmes that would provide this experience. Instead, attention has been devoted to specific, individual research skills or selected intersections between teaching and research. In contrast, this paper argues that it is important to consider how we might best teach research methodology in a comprehensive manner to human geography undergraduates. The authors identify pedagogic and pragmatic reasons for teaching this material and then address some of the difficulties and challenges associated with this endeavour. Taking one New Zealand human geography example, the aims and structure of a 200-level course that attempts to provide such an example of research methodology teaching are then sketched out. Responses to the course are noted and followed by reflections on the pragmatic and disciplinary challenges that continue to exist.     

Confidence Building in Local Planning and Development. Some Experience from Norway

Can local confidence building and cooperation strengthen local communities and have a positive influence on local development? This is the main question in this article. In the first part of the article the conditions for confidence building, mobilization, self-development and self-confidence in local planning are presented. A planning process called strategic and mobilizing planning which is built on these conditions is described. This planning or development process is drawn as an infinite spiral with an increasing 'radius'. As examples of such local confidence building and mobilization processes the cases of 'Nordvest Forum' and 'Cooperation in Haram commune' are presented and discussed. Nordvest Forum is a collaborative activity owned by competing companies in the region, which have recognized that they have a common problem related to recruitment and training of leaders. This has lead to new activities and new cooperation especially related to management training and cooperation. The collaboration between private and public institutions in Haram is an example where common challenges for companies and community were recognized. This process started as a concrete activity regarding recruitment of skilled workers with participation from a few but nevertheless important persons in the private and public sectors. The learning and confidence developed as a result of this cooperation lead to new and broader activities concerning the future of the community with many more participants. In the conclusion some practical advice is given for community planning and confidence building, informed by the theoretical discussion and the empirical examples in the article.     

高职会计课程改革

论述高职院校会计课程改革的方案和目标,课程的实施,实验课的建设,教学方法的改革等,高等职业教育要注重提高学生的能力,培养操作实用型的会计人材。     

Teaching historical geography in the field

This paper examines the pedagogical and practical challenges associated with teaching historical geography, and archival research specifically, in the context of the undergraduate field trip. In so doing, it draws upon students' own reflections on the experience of conducting archival research during a field trip to New York City and presents the results of an international survey of academics' views as to the current problems and future possibilities associated with the teaching of historical geography and the implications of these perspectives for future curriculum design.     

Educational Innovation and the Market for Geographers in Hungary

This paper examines the status of geography in higher education in Hungary. Stress is placed on reforms begun in the 1990s to launch new curricula for training professional geographers. The authors played an important role in developing this new curriculum by introducing new subjects into geography programmes, working out the scope and sequence of courses, obtaining accreditation and carrying out market research for graduates. The project was motivated by a decline in demand for geography and geography teachers in secondary schools accompanied by an increase in demand for geographers trained to work in public administration, government and business. The graduates of the new professional geographer curriculum receive a practice-oriented education designed to cultivate their spatial problem solving and applied geographical skills. In this paper the authors present the steps in the curriculum reform and suggest that it may serve as a model for reform in a number of nearby countries planning to join the EU.     

Course books for environmental perception and related geographical studies

This paper encourages readers to experiment with inquiry-based learning (IBL) in their courses in the interest of identifying more diverse styles of instruction, and developing a wider understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of the methodology. The aims of the paper are to unpack the meanings of IBL, describe some uses of IBL in geography, and discuss their benefits and challenges for students and teachers. IBL is essentially a question-driven, philosophical approach to teaching that involves active, student-centred learning. The teacher acts principally as a facilitator or mentor, guiding and encouraging students through the inquiry process. Examples of IBL are presented, ranging from questioning exercises embedded in the class, through to entire courses or degrees using an inquiry-based approach. Students can benefit greatly from IBL since they are active in the learning process, can have improved understanding, more enjoyable learning, develop valuable research skills, achieve higher-order learning outcomes and perform better academically. Teachers can also benefit through a strengthening of teaching–research links and the clear gains in student engagement and learning. However, in order for IBL to be effective, teachers must be encouraged and supported to take on this facilitating role. When IBL elements are embedded in a more traditional curriculum, particular care needs to be taken so that students and teachers are carefully oriented to the expectations regarding the outcome of learning and teaching in this mode.     

Teaching the Craft of Archaeology: Theory, Practice, and the Field School

Field schools are a rite of passage for archaeologists, the first experience of what for many is the defining activity of the discipline: fieldwork. While teaching competence in practical techniques is the minimum goal of any field school, this technical training must be situated within the broader goals that drive the fieldwork. The University of Denver Archaeological Field School provides the fieldwork for the Colorado Coal Field War Archaeological Project. This project is an experiment in archaeology as political action in the present. It explores the possibility of an emancipatory archaeology through engagement with contemporary audiences and struggles. In this paper we discuss some of the ways we try to link technical training with the admittedly unusual theoretical and political goals of the project, teaching not only skills but an awareness of the responsibilities these skills should bring.     

Student–staff partnerships in learning and teaching: an overview of current practice and discourse

ABSTRACT

Student–staff partnerships in learning and teaching are not a new idea but have seen a growing interest and momentum in recent years. In this article, I provide an overview of the background and context of increased student–staff partnerships, a definition of partnership and some of the benefits. I highlight several examples of practice from different countries, universities and disciplines, and involving different numbers of students, which help to illustrate some of the variety of what is possible in student–staff partnerships in learning and teaching but also some of the challenges. I will focus on key ideas currently being debated in student–staff partnership work in the form of theoretical framing; contested definitions; mixed motivations and concerns about partnership being co-opted by neoliberalism; the imperative of inclusion; and the role of student–staff relationships. I conclude by considering what ways geographers might contribute to future research and practice, by offering some practical strategies for establishing and maintaining good quality partnerships in learning and teaching and with suggestions for enhancing the community and culture within which we operate.     

浅谈新课程对农村中学外语教学所形成的挑战与思考

农村中学外语教学在新课程中将面临一系列新的挑战,如何认识与应对这些挑战,走出应试教学的阴影,适应课改新形势的发展需要,全面推行素质教育,大面积提高农村中学英语教学质量,有若干问题需要思考与解决。     

Status of geoinformatics education and training in Sub-Saharan Africa: initiatives taken and challenges

This paper presents an update on some of the activities that have taken place since a World Bank report; “Guidelines for Education and Training in Environmental Information Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa: Some Key Issues” was published and provides details on the current situation. It shows how organizations such as the African Association on Remote Sensing of Environment, International Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, European Association of Remote Sensing Companies, Group on Earth Observation, and several others have helped to increase manpower resources in the region and strengthened institutional capacity in the field of geoinformatics, through capacity building, technology transfer, international cooperation and the provision of internal African resources. After reviewing what has happened in the field of geoinformatics education and training, we focused on current initiatives taken and challenges in five Sub-Saharan countries: Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. We reviewed GIS education and training in the private sector, government, information communications technology in higher education institutions, GIS application areas and challenges facing GIS education and training. Findings show that; change should involve education stakeholders in all levels of education and curriculum quality, regional and international cooperation through exchange programs, should be a priority for Sub-Saharan Africa countries.     

International geography field courses: practices and challenges

Abstract

This paper introduces a special issue of the Journal of Geography in Higher Education on the practices and challenges associated with taking undergraduate geography students abroad on field courses. I argue that geography is positioned to benefit from both the internationalization of higher education and the demand by students for global experiences. The papers in this special issue focus on three aspects of international field courses: curriculum design and international partnerships, student engagement during short-duration field courses, and how encounters with place can be aided through reflection and play. I conclude with suggestions for future research on international field courses.     

新教材，新教法

根据新教材的特点和未来社会对学生的要求,教师要认识和了解社会的发展和变革,要用全新的眼光来看待我们国家的课程和教材的改革,更要加强学习,转变我们的教学观念,在教学过程中要从教材、学生等方面获取各种信息,正确引导学生认真学习,学会学习,充分体现学生的主体地位。     

普通高等院校旅游教育实践教学之中外比较

关于旅游教育实践教学改革与发展的议题,多年来一直是产学研三方关注的热点,但目前关于教育实践教学的研究仍处于起步阶段。借鉴国外的先进经验,结合我国的自身特色,进一步研究旅游实践教学的改革势在必行。本文从实践教学所涵盖的见习、随堂实习、专业考察、专业实习、研究性实习、社会实践几方面入手,分析我国目前旅游教育实践教学现状以及存在的问题,引入国外旅游教育实践教学的成功范例,进而试图寻找出既汲取国外先进经验,又是基于我国国情、各院校具体情况的旅游实践教学发展出路。     

Innovation in environmental assessment of community‐based projects in sub‐Saharan Africa

Although environmental assessment (EA) has been applied to large resource and infrastructure projects in developing countries, recent innovations in EA concepts, processes and tools have facilitated its application to small projects focused on basic human and livelihood needs. This paper describes innovations in the application of EA to community projects implemented by Canadian nongovernment organizations and their partners in sub‐Saharan Africa. Innovations include: (1) the dovetailing of environmental constructs in neopopulism with a conceptual shift in EA toward participatory, transactive planning; (2) assessment methodologies adapted from participatory rural appraisal; (3) development of grassroots EA capacity; and (4) linkage of community EA with project planning. Community EA is demonstrated for five cases involving agriculture and charcoal retail in Uganda, water supply and flood control in Niger and integrated rural development in Zambia. Future prospects and challenges include cultural adaptation, community empowerment through realignment of power relationships, mutual development of local and national EA capacity and increased training and resources for enhancing grassroots EA capacity .     

Multidisciplinary field training in undergraduate Physical Geography: Russian experience

Field training is seen as a central component of the discipline of Physical Geography and an essential part of the undergraduate curriculum. This paper explores the structure and relationships between fieldwork and theoretical courses and the abundant experiences of field training in the undergraduate curriculum of 37 Russian universities. It details a case study of the Faculty of Geography, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Russia's largest center of geographical scholarship and training with 860 employees, which admits about 1000 undergraduates and 180 PhD students annually. Here, the total duration of field training extends up to 18 weeks annually and involves 14 (11 Physical Geography) specialist departments.     

The Training Of Geographers (on the curriculum of a college department of physical geography)

A Leningrad University physical geographer proposes reforms in the curriculum of his department in an effort to focus required courses more clearly on the needs of physical-geography students. He suggests the elimination of teacher-oriented courses since Soviet universities are designed to train research geographers. Although the required courses on Marxism are viewed as essential to the Soviet educational process, separate courses on atheism and on labor legislation strike the author as superfluous. The 300 class-hours thus saved might then be allotted to special-purpose courses with a direct bearing on physical-geography training. Revisions in several courses are suggested, with greater emphasis on seminar work to train students in independent research.     

回归以来澳门中小学的国情教育:发展与经验

回归以来,澳门特区政府高度重视对中小学生的国情教育,为特区开展国情教育奠定了法制基础;构筑课堂上的“三位一体”,即设置课程“底线”、教材建设和教师培训,从而保证了国情教育的教学质量;在课堂外持续开展多元化的教育活动。在澳门中小学开展国情教育的经验主要有:大幅度增加教育投入;注重整体规划和制度配套;尊重教育规律,将国情教育潜移默化地融入中小学生日常学习和生活中;建立多元合作、协调统一的工作机制。     

《商务谈判》在实践中的教学研讨

近年来社会对高校工商管理专业人才的需求趋势发生了改变,不但要求学生具有扎实的理论知识还特别强调学生具备较强的实践参与能力。《商务谈判》课程属于专业设置中的应用型专业课程,因而在新的就业形势下,教师在教学过程中应该改变以往重视理论而轻视实践的教学方式。本文针对课程教学中的实践环节的教学目标和要求,提出了教学方式和手段创新的具体方法,并介绍了在实际操作中的经验。     

Building a GIScience Community in Cyberspace: reflections on GIScOnline

In this paper, distance learning is defined not as the physical separation of students from a tutor but by the need to facilitate group learning, interaction and a sense of community amongst course participants. A critical review of an established distance-learning course is made reflecting on the team's experiences of building a learning community in cyberspace. The successes and failures are recorded, as are the barriers to engendering a sense of kinship on the course. A survey of students' own experiences with and feeling towards various communication technologies is also presented.     

Internationalising the University Curriculum

Many Western universities are responding to the demands of globalisation by attempting to internationalise their curricula—that is, to introduce an element of multiculturalism. This project derives its rationale from three assumptions: (1) the globalisation process is a viable agenda for a sustainable and just future for all people; (2) it is the responsibility of the university to respond faithfully to current demands of Western society—that is, in this case, to the demands of globalisation; and, (3) given the first two assumptions, internationalisation of the curriculum is a logical response. It is argued that the first two assumptions need to be explicitly recognised and then rigorously questioned. This must be done by academics themselves, and as a joint project with students in the classroom. This questioning amounts to challenging the foundational concepts of contemporary Western civilisation. New directions for the future may thus emerge from the classroom. The core concepts of other cultures may be seen as an asset in this process, giving an entirely new meaning to the term ‘internationalisation of the curriculum’.