Stewarding Places through Geography in Higher Education

Abstract

Place-based education is common in elementary school geography curriculums where children are taught about their surroundings. Emphasizing hands-on, real-world learning experiences, this approach creates heightened commitment to serving as active, contributing citizens. By post-secondary school, geography students collectively pursue knowledge within a classroom, learning about the importance of becoming global citizens. In the process, the benefits of place-based education are overlooked in favor of global aspirations. This paper considers the importance of place in student well-being, and the role of educator in place-based education, while reflecting on the role that local experiential education can play in increasingly global-oriented education.