Research question
How is the world/global dimension represented in primary geography textbooks in the different year groups (age 6-12 years)?
• Which regional contexts are used in the textbook series?
• What global themes/topics are presented in the textbook series?
Conclusion
• The build up in the textbooks through the year groups is strongly from local to global.
• The physical features of the world (diversity) are most important in the textbooks.
• Hardly any attention for global issues.
Discussion
The content and pedagogy of these textbooks are based on a strong belief in a world that slowly moves or opens from the local to the global. However, in which extent does this meet up with children’s nowadays global awareness and do we not underestimate their awareness?
The global dimension in Dutch primary education
Vincent Bax, Msc (v.b.bax@hr.nl) [Initiated from a research proposal with dr. Tine Béneker & prof. dr. Rob van der Vaart (Utrecht University)]
Faculteit Geowetenschappen
Method
Content Analysis
• The two most important primary geography textbook series are analysed;
‘The Blue Planet’1 & ‘A world of Difference’.2
• Textbook sections are analysed for the regional context: countries & regions
‘mentioned’ and ‘used’.
• Textbook sections are analysed for key concepts belonging to global education, based on ‘Windows of the world’3.
1 Bakker, A. et al., 2007. The Blue Planet, geography for primary education. Utrecht/Zutphen, ThiemeMeulenhoff.
2 Bakker, A. et al., 2007. The Blue Planet, geography for primary education. Utrecht/Zutphen, ThiemeMeulenhoff.
3 Béneker, T., M. van Stalborch & R. van der Vaart (2009) (Eds). Windows on the world. Report of the Canon for Global Citizenship Committee. Amsterdam: NCDO / Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University.
UU GEO C&M 8287
The Blue Planet
A world of Difference
8287
2 1
8 2
15 5
23
43
1 2
4 6
9 11
18
Diversity 50
Sustainable development Identity
Globalization Equity & Poverty Global involvement Peace and conflict
Human Rights A World of Difference
The Blue Planet
8287
Biodiversity of the earth
Cultural diversity of the world Diversity in everyday life
The availability of strategic natural resources Population growth and urbanization
Climate Change National identity Religious identity Multicultural society
Worldwide economic relations Global migration flows
Cultural exchange Poverty Alliviation
The unequal access to food, housing and health care
The global issue of increasing food shortage and rising prices The international political community
consumption and lifestyle The role of the modern media Flows of refugees
International peacekeeping international terrorism
Violations of human rights Socio-economic rights
Commitment to the observance of human rights
A World of Difference The Blue Planet
Diversity Sustainable development Identity
Globalization Equity &
Poverty Global
involvement Peace
conflict Human Rights
8287
Diversity Sustainable development
Identity
Globalization Equity &
Poverty Global
involvement Peace
conflict Human Rights
1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6
Biodiversity of the earth
Cultural diversity of the world Diversity in everyday life
The availability of strategic natural resources Population growth and urbanization
Climate Change National identity Religious identity Multicultural society
Worldwide economic relations Global migration flows
Cultural exchange Poverty alliviation
The unequal access to food, housing and health care
The global issue of increasing food shortage and rising prices The international political community
consumption and lifestyle The role of the modern media Flow of refugees
International peacekeeping international terrorism Violations of human rights Socio-economic rights
Commitment to the observance of human rights
Grade Subject
Theme
A World of Difference The Blue Planet
8287
Diversity Sustainable development
Identity
Globalization Equity &
Poverty Global
involvement Peace
conflict Human Rights
45 29 27
8 13
69 25 36
14 4 14
22 17 6 16
4 19 15
11 7 2 4
13 18 1 7
3 2 6 8 13
2 4
9 12 17
1 2 3
7 14 1 3
12 9
1 1 2 7 4
1
Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 1
0 2
2 1 3 2
Grade 5
5 3
Grade 6 Grade 4
A World of Difference The Blue Planet
Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6
Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6
The percentage of the ‘Windows of the World’ themes per textbook serie
The representive of the subjects in the 8 themes
used mensioned
used mensioned
