Portugal: Experimental science learning, WebGIS, and the ConTIG project

Abstract

In Portugal, schooling is mandatory and universal until Grade 9 (or 15 years old), although it is soon expected to be mandatory until Grade 12 (or 18 years old). The Portuguese National EducationMinistry (www.min-edu.pt) defines the national curricula. Geography is a mandatory subject from Grades 7-9 and optional for humanities and economics course areas in Grades 10-12. Portugal has different courses during middle school (Grades 7-9) and high school (Grades 10-12): The regular courses with the national curricula and the professional and career-oriented courses (e.g., informatics technician, arts-oriented courses, and cartography). These last courses were developed for students with high drop-out potential and low school skills. The curricula for these courses are defined by the National Agency for Qualification (under the Education Ministry and also the Job and Social Solidarity Ministry). To teach at a public school, teachers must have a university degree with a specialization in education, which can be integrated in the university course or completed after a regular course in arts or science. This is changing with the Bologna process (http://www.ond.vlaanderen.be/hogeronderwijs/bologna/), which rearranged university courses in Europe in order to establish the European area of higher education and to promote the European system of higher education worldwide. New teachers in Portugal are now expected to have a master's degree to enroll in a teaching job.