The aims of the subject

The main aim of the didactics of geography is to contribute to students' capability to teach geography at both four-year and eight-year secondary schools. We perceive geography teaching as a form of bringing up (including education) and teacher's activity as a creating of conditions for constructive educational activity of a pupil. Didactical themes (and resulting tasks) are therefore presented and practised in a broader geographic-didactic-pedagogic-psychological context.

The intent of the didactics of geography is to contribute to that that student:

- can perceive the world in its integrity which provides a base necessary for knowledge integration, well thought out selection of main educational trends, themes, methods, and forms of education, ways of evaluating, etc.

- can outline geography education in a broader context (National strategy of education, geography as a scientific discipline, pedagogical documents, conditions and needs of school, needs of particular pupils).

- can transform scientific knowledge into school practice (in accordance with given objectives select curriculum, methods and forms of education, ways of evaluation).

- can motivate students to learn generally, can arouse deeper interest in geography and geographical themes, can enrich interest activities of students.

- knows possible alternative approaches to the education of geography and could use those ones that are adequate to particular setting.

- knows various methods of geography teaching and their dependences and could be able to use them in a particular situation.

- would be able of self-reflexion, consciousness of own activity and the way of consideration.

- can evaluate students' performance, the process of teaching/learning and own activity according to the criteria set in advance. Knows "qualities" of different evaluating methods and their usage and is able to justify their usage on the base of arguments.

- can understand the problems of basic school and the particularity of geography teaching at secondary school.

- should want and can take active part in professional discussions concerning the problems of school including geography teaching and preparation of school documents, etc.

- should want and be able to decide freely and responsibly (in the role of a teacher) in the frame of autonomous school.

Thematic focus of seminars

Lectures and seminars are aimed at the practical application of subject didactic approaches and principles in the teaching of geography across physical-geographical, socio-geographical and regional geographic topics: Geographical issues as a tool supporting and evaluating the geographical thinking of students; Different types of geographical tests: their creation and evaluation; Geographic Thinking Strategies; Methods and techniques supporting professional reading and development of key competencies; Photography and video as a means of promoting thinking; Geography and digital literacy; Targeted development of pupils' attitudes in teaching geography; Practicing the interpretation and explanation of physical geographical phenomena and processes; Criteria evaluation of geography textbooks; Fieldwork - a summary of concepts and different approaches; Rethinking the personal concept of teaching geography.