Rod Gerber

The International Handbook on Geographical Education is the first truly international publication in the field of geographical education for several decades. It is distinctive in the following ways: A large team of highly experienced geographers and educators from around the world have injected their perspectives on international issues in the field. While some reflection of past thinking and practice is evident, the main purpose of this publication is to offer international leadership in geographical education for the world in the twenty first century. Illuminating local and national examples are used to reinforce the international perspectives. The publication challenges geographical educators, policymakers and curriculum developers to reposition themselves for the changing approaches in societies around the world. It is a publication for the thinking geographer and educator who appreciates where international education is travelling to and how its challenges can be met.

International Handbook on Geographical Education

I am very pleased to have been asked by Rod Gerber to provide a preface to such a book. Not least because of the twenty-four chapters, eight are written by former students or colleagues with whom I have worked in the past and whom I still meet at conferences on geographical education. It is with a certain pride and joy that I note the progress which has been made in geographical education both in its day to day teaching and in research, in the twenty years following the end of my term of office as Chair of the Commission on Geographical Education of the International Geographical Union (CGEIUG). My successors, Joe Stoltman, Hartwig Haubrich, Rod Gerber and now Lea Houtsonen, have done much and are continuing to work hard, to foster the development of geographical education. This book is proof, if proof were needed, that the international collaboration in this field, is alive and well, with contributions coming from all the continents (except Antarctica!). It would be a moribund subject that remained unaffected in one way or another by developments on the 'great world stage', as Fairgrieve (1926) would have put it. And, as Rod Gerber shows, the issues of globalisation, of cultural encounters, of differing value systems, of new technologies, of variable economic development and of environmental quality, all feature as topics which influence and are influenced by, geographical education.

M. Williams

The aim of this book is to inject more intercultural understanding and education into people's lives. This is achieved by focusing on key aspects such as geography and culture, geography and citizenship, pedagogic implications and future directions for inter-cultural learning, understanding, and education. This publication demonstrates how the study of geography can assist people in different social and cultural groups to sustain their lifeworlds, and improve them for future generations of citizens.

Rod Gerber

About

Books

Join the club