National Geographic Education is a part of the National Geographic website
which proves a wonderful resource for anyone looking to learn more about
science, geography, ecology and current events.
It is appropriate for children studying in the grades 2 to 10 and is a free
resource available for anyone who is keen on learning more about the world
we live in.
Teachers can use the information and resources available to incorporate the
latest findings in the world into school curriculum, initiate targeted
practice, for reference and for professional development.
The link to the website is
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/education/
. Since it is a website internet will be necessary.
Here is the video review of the website:
Positives
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Pre-installed lesson plans on world-wide phenomena like climate
change as well as context specific topics like air quality with
respect to USA along with the duration of class, activities to be
done, resources to be referred to and suggestions for assessment.
Refer:
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/activity/climate-change-and-rising-seas/
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Teaching resources in terms of ideas, activities, lessons, units
etc are available in the ‘Teaching Resources’ section with filters
available to simplify the search based on Grade, Type of resource
required (Idea or Activity) and Subject as shown below.
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The website provides facilities to design, customize and print your
own maps suited to the need of the teacher and the topic taught.
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Below is a map trying to direct attention to the length of India by
joining its northern and southern tips. The maps can be easily
zoomed and/or transfigured to suit one’s teaching requirements.
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It helps develop critical thinking in students. For instance, a
teacher can use the map of CO2 emissions world over to initiate the
child in the path of sustainable living and being mindful of
his/her usage of resources. The teacher can choose from and edit
the immense categories of maps available like those on population
levels, environment, energy, earth systems, water, climate and
weather etc. to make classroom teaching more relatable and updated.
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The site also offers yearly subscriptions to its classroom magazine
for around Rs. 400 and less depending on the type availed.
Educators can select from 6 editions, leveled to differentiate
learning. The website claims them to be excellent sources for
inculcating the habit of reading non-fiction in students through
their engaging, informational texts. Students of all reading levels
are inspired by National Geographic’s storytelling and stunning
photographs—they are excited to learn about the world and our place
in it.
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The educational blog provided in the reference section regularly
publishes relevant articles based on research by individuals that
can help educators be more efficient.
Limitations
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In case of the reference sections or the education blog, the
highlights are mostly related to the United States of America. So
other than the world events the region specific emphasis and
priority is given to USA.
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The resources provided can only act as supplementary resources to
the prescribed curriculum or could lead to delays in syllabus
completion because of vast and varied content availability.
The resources provided can only act as supplementary resources to
the prescribed curriculum or could lead to delays in syllabus
completion because of vast and varied content availability. We hope that you have liked our review. Please share your comments below and keep following our blog for more educational resources.