Fresh thing for freshman: Exploring a blended method on teaching the history of geographic thought

doi:10.1007/s11442-018-1577-7

Abstract

Abstract:

It is necessary for undergraduates majoring in geography to learn the history of geographic thought. Although there are different cultural and educational backgrounds between China and the West, teaching methods such as text teaching, students’ presentations and group learning are suitable for most of teachers and students even from different countries and regions. The blended method is helpful to popularize history of geographic thought and improve the level of teaching and learning. Owing to lack of the class on the history of geographic thought in countries like China, the authors try to explore a blended method for the first-year geography undergraduates and to assess the effects of this teaching based on some questionnaires. The students have different benefits and responses to this class. A special group consisting of one teacher and several undergraduates does the research and coauthors the paper through making questionnaire, interviewing and analyzing materials from 67 freshmen majoring in human geography and geography science (teacher-training) in China. For the undergraduates especially from the countries like China, it is well worth making the history of geographic thought become a necessary and interesting class.

Key words: history of geographic thought, teaching methods, text teaching, group learning, China

Chao YE, Xinrong HUANG, Yuxin PAN, Shan YANG. Fresh thing for freshman: Exploring a blended method on teaching the history of geographic thought[J].Journal of Geographical Sciences, 2018, 28(12): 2007-2015.

Figures/Tables 12

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References 33

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	Lecturing	Students’ presentation	Ask-answer	Group learning
Subject	Teacher	Student	Teacher and student	Student
Style	Teacher show	Students show	Students to teacher	Group collaboration
Atmosphere	Regular	Vivid and lively	Exciting	Relaxed and free
Type	Traditional	New	Traditional	New
Aim	Knowledge	Share	Induction	Collaboration
Means	Courseware	Multi-media	Debate	Internet
Advantage	Planning	Easy communication	Divergent thinking	Extending class
Disadvantage	Interaction	Collaboration	Participation	Multilevel students

Benefits	Yes	No
Know the development of geography
Broaden horizon and accumulate knowledge
Attain geographical scientific literacy and literature quality
Understand modern geographic thought
Promote the development of geography

Degree Methods	Necessary	Very important	Important	Not important	Not at all
Teacher’s lecture
Student’s presentation
Group learning
Text teaching
Ask-answer

Degree procedures	Necessary	Very important	Important	Not important	Not at all
Teach in class
Ask teacher after class
Work in the group
Read related books
Finish the assignment

Problems	Yes	No
English
Shortage of geographical knowledge
Searching for information
Division and cooperation
Group learning
Others