Lifelong Learning and the Professional Development of Geography Teachers: A View from Slovenia

Abstract

Lifelong learning and continuing professional development (CPD) are considered important activities for geography teachers. However, research in Slovenia shows that many lose their enthusiasm for these activities when they leave university and enter professional practice. In Slovenia, whilst geography teachers have a sound undergraduate education, few partake in postgraduate study and, in the last decade, there has been a decrease in the number of geography teachers who engage with continuing professional education. High teaching workloads and costs are seen as barriers to more formal types of continuing professional development. Thus, most learning occurs via informal and opportunistic learning activities. However, the extent and effects of engagement in these types of learning is hard to measure. Given the current situation, there is a need to promote a culture in schools that provides geography teachers with both encouragement and incentives to enhance their professional skills through further learning.

Keywords:

• Geography
• teacher
• professional development
• lifelong learning
• Slovenia