A case study on the perceptions of Higher Education teachers in Santa Maria/RS about the use of the Geography textbook in contemporary times

Abstract

Thinking about the use of Geography textbooks in the current educational context is important and, at the same time, necessary. Currently, there are quite controversial discussions surrounding the use of this material, involving its possibilities, limitations, and/or repercussions for Geographic Education. Thus, the focus of this article was to analyze the perceptions of professors in Higher Education, from a public and a private university located in Rio Grande do Sul, regarding the use of textbooks as a resource in Geography classes. To achieve this, a literature review was conducted, interviews were carried out, and a qualitative approach was used to analyze the results. It was found that, in the views of the teachers, the textbook can be a highly favorable resource for School Geography, becoming indispensable for many school realities, such as institutions with poor infrastructure. However, it should be used as a means to enhance classes and not as the sole resource. On the other hand, many Geography teachers need to teach in another curricular component, making many of them dependent on this resource to plan their activities. It was also emphasized the importance of working on students’ spatial awareness, especially concerning local issues, filling in the gaps left by the textbook. Finally, it is highlighted that, in the perception of the teachers, textbooks, like any other teaching resource, can significantly contribute to the development of classes, depending largely on the how the Geography teacher conducts their class.