FROM CONTENT TO CONCEPT. TEACHING GLOCAL ISSUES WITH GEOGRAPHICAL PRINCIPLES

Abstract

Glocal problems are central to school geography. Due to their complexity and as a result of the
didactic reduction these issues are often taught too simple in geography classes. Instead, it is
necessary to improve cumulative learning so that students are able to cope with more
challenging problems. A useful strategy is to structure geography lessons on the basis of key
concepts and subject-specific principles. Key concepts are basic explanations and guiding
principles of professional thinking, which can be used in different geographical issues. These
principles can be discovered by the students in various (new) glocal problems. This supports
the development of a deeper geographical understanding through all grades. With reference to
the work of natural science education, we try to identify such key concepts for glocal problems.