Changing Horizons in Geography Education - HERODOT Network ...

preparation and to some extent, teacher training with its new structure will have todo the same.Some consequences of the two-cycle system affecting the geography teaching inthe primary and secondary educationStarting the new undergraduate level of the higher education in 2006 does not onlyreform the university-college education and establishes a uniform framework forthem, but it also affects the two main participants of secondary education (teachersand students) and the consequences to the curriculum of primary and secondaryschools that are worth discussing can be determined, as well. Experienced andcompetent teachers certainly will be able to suggest relevant methods to teach thelatter one.Discussing the curriculum requires slightly different approach. This impulse willbe provided to the participants included in the teacher training, as well. It is a bit moredifficult in cases such as Physics where it is clear what natural law in what contextshould be taught in order that a complex picture and a utilizable knowledge shallemerge in the students. In case of Geography, there are no natural laws, there are onlyprocedures proceeding statistically. There is a great lack of the analysis thereof or ofdiscussion, however, the main problem concerns the competences that can be appliedalso in practice. If Geography cannot demonstrate this and it remains a basicallydescriptive subject, it cannot count on the great support of society. Certainly, manypeople say that relationships cannot be analysed without information. This mightbe true, but we do not think that the key to practical knowledge is only this. If oneobtains more information regarding the geography of Brazil, it does not necessarilyhelp people handle the natural and social questions easier. In accordance with ourmodern age, one shall reply to practical questions with competent answers.168