An Investigation into Geography Teachers' Use of Current Events in Geography Classes

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the extent to which geography teachers use current events within the context of their geography instruction, their sources of information about current events, the methods and techniques they adopt while using current events in their teaching and the skills and values they expect their students to develop. The study, which was designed using a pattern of qualitative research methods, was conducted with 15 geography teachers determined by a maximum diversity sampling technique in Bayburt, Turkey. A semi-structured interview form was used to reveal the teachers' opinions. The data were analysed using the content analysis technique. The results showed that all of the teachers involved in the study followed current events when teaching geography. Some of the reasons why the teachers followed current events included the fact that geography science is considered as an axis course in life, providing permanent geographical knowledge for students and allowing them to gain a variety of perspectives. Furthermore, the sources that the teachers used most often when following current events were the internet use, newspapers and scientific publications and magazines. The teachers aimed to teach geography-specific skills, such as geographical inquiry, map reading and interpretation and field observations, to their students by using current events. However, the teachers did not employ student-centred activities while using current events and they transferred geography knowledge and skills to their students mostly through lectures, question-answer sessions and whole-class discussion.