Cartografia tátil escolar: experiências com a construção de materiais didáticos e com a formação continuada de professores / School tactile cartography: experiences with the construction of educational materials and wih the continuing teacher training

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2010

RESUMO

The main theme of this research is School Tactile Cartography, particularly the analysis and discussion of the tactile map production and use, including its relevance in the teaching of geography and cartography. The study also highlighted the need to improve the continuing education of school teachers, in order to prepare them to include students with visual impairment at the classroom. School Cartography is at the crossroads between Cartography, Education and Geography, and it is taught with the aim of developing map teaching and learning methodologies, and children s conceptualization of space. NCPs (National Curricular Parameters) in Brazil emphasize the importance of "knowing how to use cartographic language in order to obtain information and create a spatial representation of geographical phenomena", through the teaching of Cartography as one of the objectives in the Geography teaching program in the primary and high school education system. NCPs also suggest thematic issues, listing content that includes "the assessment and interpretation of information expressed in cartographic language". Cartographic activities in Geography classes are important to develop spatial abilities of an observational, perceptual and representative nature. Graphic representations are essentially visual and perceived by sight, but they may also be analyzed by touch, as long as they are designed with this purpose in mind. The presence of visually-challenged students in regular class rooms requires schools to make cartographic material that may be adapted for touch available to these students and to prepare teachers to deal with this reality. As for the training of teachers, it can be stated that the quality of teaching, educational reforms and pedagogic renovations are fundamental elements in the initial and further education programs for these teachers. This study analyzes the importance of further education courses for teachers and their application to the teaching of Cartography in schools, particularly for students with visual impairment, both in specialized or regular schools. Courses and workshops on Tactile Cartography and the teaching of Geography, held between August 2006 and October 2008 in Brazil and Chile, were selected for description and analysis in this study. This is part of an international project developed in cooperation with the University of São Paulo and the Metropolitan Technological University in Chile. Through these courses, it was possible to see the difficulties that teachers face in working with Cartography, and especially Tactile Cartography, in the classroom. Further education courses can be an improvement in the teaching and the dissemination of techniques involved in the creation of tactile didactic material, in the same manner that guidelines for their use may represent significant pedagogic renovation that will increase the use this material by all students.

ASSUNTO(S)

teacher training school cartography cartografia escolar cartografia tátil formação de professores tactile maps geography education ensino de geografia

ACESSO AO ARTIGO

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