Cross-curricular integration of geography and physical education in the case of mountain-oriented education
Cross-curricular integration of geography and physical education in the case of mountain-oriented education

Author(s): Tatjana Resnik Planinc
Subject(s): Human Geography, Environmental Geography, Applied Geography, School education, Sports Studies, Pedagogy
Published by: Masarykova univerzita nakladatelství
Keywords: cross-curricular integration; geography; physical education; mountain oriented education;
Summary/Abstract: Many years ago, Jacobs (1989) defined cross-curricular instruction as a conscious effort to apply knowledge, principles, and/or values to more than one academic discipline simultaneously. Today we know that when students see the connections between individual subject areas, the material becomes more relevant. There are many ways in which to integrate different subjects or content into a constructive holistic unit. The author presents an approach to mountain-oriented education that includes contributions from geography and physical education. Through the presentation of YOUrALPS (Educating Youth for the Alps: (re)connecting Youth and Mountain heritage for an inspiring future in the Alps) project results, the author discusses a cross-curricular approach in the school activities of both subjects when dealing with key issues viewed from different disciplinary perspectives. The author provides an educational vision through a proposal for effective teaching that aims to enable more successful learning and achievement by students. The proposal is based on cross-curricular investigations of the geography and physical education curricula (objectives, abilities, skills and competencies connected with the mountain-oriented topics of each discipline) and is enhanced with suggestions for integration either in indoor or outdoor activities. A survey of teachers who attended the Summer School on Mountain-Oriented Education (Slovenia, 2017) reveals that this type of integration requires – in addition to extensive planning and cooperation among teachers – a high degree of teacher commitment, which works well so long as there is high enthusiasm for the project.

• Details
• Contents