Geographical Education in an Increasingly Complex World: What, How, and Why

Authors

  • Gino De Vecchis Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy

Abstract

This article examines the interplay between geographical research, teaching and societal change, highlighting the challenges and opportunities for geography education in a rapidly evolving and complex world. It discusses the integration of research-based knowledge into teaching practice, the relevance of Public and Participatory Geography and the framework of What, How and Why for curriculum design. Drawing on both international literature and the Italian tradition of geography education, the article emphasizes the potential of geography to foster critical thinking, environmental awareness and active citizenship among students.

References

Amato F. and Matarazzo N., “Spaces and practices of inclusive didactics: a territorial laboratory in Naples”, J-READING (Journal of Research and Didactics in Geography), 12, 1, 2023, pp. 73-84.

Bednarz S.W. and Mitchell J.T., Handbook of Geography Education, Berlin, Springer, 2024.

Botelho L., Valadãoa R. and Rocca L., “The linchpins of geographic reasoning for a successful teaching/learning: Comparison between school curricula in Italy and Brazil”, J-READING (Journal of Research and Didactics in Geography), 12, 1, 2023, pp. 41-56.

Brooks C., Butt G. and Fargher M., The Power of Geographical Thinking, Berlin, Springer, IGU-UGI, 2017.

Chang Ch.-H., “Learning to know, do, be and live together for climate change education. A reflection on practices that working the context of geographical education”, J-READING (Journal of Research and Didactics in Geography), 13, 1, 2024, pp. 71-82.

Chang Ch.-H. and Kidman G., “Interdisciplinary learning and pedagogical content knowledge in sustainability education – implications for STEAM education”, International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 34, 2, 2025, pp. 95-99.

Charpentier Ph., “Teaching Geography in France primary schools using everyday objects and the surrounding environment”, J-READING (Journal of Research and Didactics in Geography), 14, 1, 2025, pp. 71-79.

De Vecchis G., “J-Reading is born”, J-READING (Journal of Research and Didactics in Geography), 1, 0, 2012, pp. 7-10.

De Vecchis G. and Pasquinelli d’Allegra D., Dentro la geografia, Rome, Carocci, 2026.

Fargher M., Mitchell D. and Till E., Recontextualising Geography in Education, Berlin, Springer, IGU-UGI, 2021.

Fatichenti F., “Teaching and learning Geography in Italian First Cycle of Education: knowledge elements and proposals for a renewed curriculum”, J-READING (Journal of Research and Didactics in Geography), 14, 1, 2025, pp. 55-69.

Fatichenti F. and Charpentier Ph., “Teaching Geography facing current and future challenges. Cross perspectives. Introduction”, J-READING (Journal of Research and Didactics in Geography), 14, 1, 2025, pp. 51-54.

Ferri V., Di Castro G. and Marsiglia S., “Exploring immigrant gaps in education: empirical evidence”, J-READING (Journal of Research and Didactics in Geography), 12, 1, 2023, pp. 11-23.

Frazier E., “Writing Geography for a World on Fire: The Role of Feminist Mentorship in Cultivating Effective Public Engagement”, Annals of the American Association of Geographers, 2025, pp. 1-9.

Gericke N., Tani S., Newall E. and Deng Z., “A framework for curricular analysis of powerful knowledge: comparing school biology in England, Finland and Sweden”, Journal of Curriculum Studies, 57, 4, 2025, pp. 441-465.

Giacomelli L. and Pesaresi C., “A journey through time into the ‘real world’ of ancient Pompeii. The 79 AD eruption of Vesuvius relived to raise risk awareness and as an opportunity for experiential learning”, J-READING (Journal of Research and Didactics in Geography), 14, 2, 2025, pp. 5-31.

Hardouin M. and Leininger-Frézal C., Curricular Changes in Geography Education. Meeting Social and Societal Challenges of Tomorrow, IGU-UGI, Berlin, Springer, 2025.

Heidari N., Feser M.S., Scholten N., Schwippert K. and Sprenger S., “Language Learning in Geography Education: Secondary Analysis of a Systematic Literature Review to Identify Further Blind Spots”, J-READING (Journal of Research and Didactics in Geography), 13, 1, 2024, pp. 5-22.

Hilander M., “Reading the geographical content of media images as part of young people’s geo-media skills”, Nordidactica: Journal of Humanities and Social Science Education, 2, 2016, p. 69-92.

Hilander M., Romi Ch. and Tani S., “Climate education in early childhood education: Finnish early childhood educators’ views”, J-READING (Journal of Research and Didactics in Geography), 12, 2, 2023, pp. 5-20.

Ikonen P. and Tani S., “Knowledge transformation from climate change science in Finnish school geography from 1985 to 2024. How are the impacts of climate change presented?”, J-READING (Journal of Research and Didactics in Geography), 13, 2, 2024, pp. 23-39.

Joublot Ferré S., “Pour un renouvellement de l’enseignement de la géographie à l’école par l’approche critique, les spatialités et les territoires. Mise en discussion depuis la formation initiale des enseignants au Québec”, J-READING (Journal of Research and Didactics in Geography), 14, 1, 2025, pp. 81-92.

Karkdijk J., van der Schee J. and Admiraal W.F., “Students’ geographical relational thinking when solving mysteries”, International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 28, 1, 2019, pp. 5-21.

Kidman G. and Chang Ch.-H., “Planetary pedagogies: reimagining geography and environmental education in the anthropocene”, International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 34, 3, 2025, pp. 215-219.

Koopman S., “Will the real people’s geography please stand up? Community, public, and participatory geographies in conversation”, Geography Compass, 18, 4, 2024.

Lee J., Cimová T., Foster E.J. France D., Krajňáková L., Moorman L., Rewhorn S., and Zhang J., “Transforming geography education: the role of generative AI in curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, and fieldwork”, International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 34, 3, 2025, pp. 237-253.

Li W., Arundel S.T., Gao S., Goodchild M. F., Hu Y., Wang Sh. and Zipf A., “GeoAI for Science and the Science of GeoAI”, Journal of Spatial Information Science, 29, 2024, pp. 1-17.

Mazza G. and Zanolin G., “Community maps for territorial education: inputs for a methodology from Nativi Project”, J-READING (Journal of Research and Didactics in Geography), 12, 2, 2023, pp. 51-65.

Meissl M. E., Kowasch M. and Buseth J. T., “Ecological sustainability in Austrian and British geography textbooks”, J-READING (Journal of Research and Didactics in Geography), 14, 1, 2025, pp. 93-109.

Mérenne-Schoumaker B., Didactique de la géographie: organiser les apprentissages, Bruxelles, De Boeck, 2012.

Mérenne-Schoumaker B., “L’enseignement de la géographie face aux défis actuels et futurs. Réflexions et propositions au départ d’une expérience menée en Belgique francophone”, J-READING (Journal of Research and Didactics in Geography), 14, 1, 2025, pp. 111-128.

Muñiz Solari O., Demirci A. and van der Schee J. (Eds.), Geospatial Technologies and Geography Education in a Changing World. Geospatial Practices and Lessons Learned, Berlin, Springer, 2015.

Pache A., Lausselet N., Bauer Th., Milano M. and Hertig Ph., “Learning to construct school knowledge in lower secondary school geography: what are the challenges for teacher training in the Swiss context?”, J-READING (Journal of Research and Didactics in Geography), 14, 1, 2025, pp. 129-140.

Pasquinelli d’Allegra D., “Le teorie... delle pratiche. Metodi, competenze, valutazione”, in De Vecchis G. and Pasquinelli d’Allegra D., Dentro la geografia, Rome, Carocci, 2026, pp. 103-125.

Pesaresi C., Pavia D. and De Vito C., “Upgrading of a Dynamic Space-Time Diffusion Simulator in a GIS Environment developed to analyse the COVID-19 spread in Rome. A replicable exemplification”, Bollettino della Associazione Italiana di Cartografia, 175, 2023, pp. 54-74.

Pesaresi C., van der Schee J. and Pavia D., “3D and 4D Simulations for Landscape Reconstruction and Damage Scenarios: GIS Pilot Applications”, Review of International Geographical Education Online (RIGEO), 2, 7, 2017, pp. 131-153.

Pons A., Binimelis J., García-González J. A. and Mateu G., “How to improve geospatial competence: a quasi-experimental study with secondary-education students in the Balearic Islands”, J-READING (Journal of Research and Didactics in Geography), 14, 2, 2025, pp. 65-79.

Salas-Canela L., Franch-Pardo I., Gao Y., Mwampamba T., Bailis R., Zerriffi H. and Ghilardi A., “Influence of spatial resolution on fuelwood supply estimations”, J-READING (Journal of Research and Didactics in Geography), 13, 2, 2024, pp. 5-21.

Scialdone A. and Morri R., “Common ground: Mobilities and educational resources for inclusion of people with foreign background. Introduction”, J-READING (Journal of Research and Didactics in Geography), 12, 1, 2023, pp. 7-9.

Shi M., Janowicz K., Verstegen J., Currier K., Wiedemann N., Mai G., Majic I., Liu Z. and Zhu R., “Geography for AI sustainability and sustainability for GeoAI”, Cartography and Geographic Information Science, 52, 4, 2025, pp. 331-349.

Stoltman J., “Perspective on geographical education in the 21st century”, J-READING (Journal of Research and Didactics in Geography), 1, 0, 2012, pp. 17-24.

Strobl J., “Participation from a geospatial perspective”, Prace Geograficzne, Z. 175, 2024, pp. 75-95.

van der Schee J., “Geographical education in a changing world”, J-READING (Journal of Research and Didactics in Geography), 1, 0, 2012, pp. 11-15.

Veriza R.F., “Teaching history and geography in Madagascar: Between colonial legacies and paths to decolonization”, J-READING (Journal of Research and Didactics in Geography), 14, 1, 2025, pp. 141-153.

Wills J., “Making sense of community-led place-based research”, Environment and Planning F, 2025.

Downloads

Published

2026-05-19

Issue

Vol. 1 (2026)

Section

Geographical notes and (practical) considerations

License

The Author assigns to the Nuova Cultura and to Italian Association of Geography Teachers all rights under copyright that can exist in and to the submitted paper. The Author warrants that the paper and images (photos, maps, graphs etc.) are original and that he/she is the Author of the submitted contribution and its parts; in the case of images taken by other publications, the Author must provide a specific authorization and must pay in advance any copyright.

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.