Students’ comparison competencies in geography

Results from an explorative assessment study

Bibliographic Data

ID11954808
AuthorsMarine Simon (0000-0002-1713-1168, Institute for Geography Education, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany, corresponding author), Alexandra Budke (0000-0003-1063-8991, Institute for Geography Education, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany)
Year2023
Volume48
Issue1
Pages94-114
Publication date2023-02-05
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Geography in Higher Education (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0309-8265 • E-ISSN: 1466-1845
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/03098265.2023.2174960
OpenAlexW4319790778
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited33

Comparison is an important geographic method and a common task in geography education. Mastering comparison is a complex competency and written comparisons are challenging tasks both for students and assessors. As yet, however, there is no set test for evaluating comparison competency nor tool for enhancing it. Moreover, little is known about university students’ and prospective teachers’ comparison performances and writing strategies for comparison texts. Therefore, in this study, we present an assessment tool aiming to evaluate comparison competency and assess comparison text structures. This tool can also be used as a possible scaffold to teach comparison competency. In order to evaluate the reliability and validity of the assessment tool, we tested it on a sample of 17 future geography teachers from a German university. Results showed that students possessed low levels of comparison competency, although they performed better in content-related aspects. Students utilized only a few of the available comparative text structures. Finally, results from the two parts of the assessment were positively correlated, linking comparison competency to the quality of the text structure. This shows that higher education geography programs should include content on comparison text structures when teaching comparison competency to help future teachers develop this skill

Geography · German · Mathematics education · Pedagogy · Quality (philosophy · Reliability (semiconductor · Sample (material · Set (abstract data type · Task (project management · Test (biology · Chemistry · Computer Science · Educator Training and Historical Pedagogy · Engineering · Geography and Education Methods · Geography Education and Pedagogy · Psychology · Ecology

Tools

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