Research Summary: Technology-supported methodological foundations for teaching innovative urban development in school geography

This study developed and evaluated a technology-supported methodological framework for teaching innovative urban development within school geography. It aimed to transition from descriptive teaching to analytical, technology-supported learning about urban systems, particularly smart and sustainable cities. The framework, implemented in a secondary school elective course, integrated local case studies, authentic urban datasets, and mobile learning applications. The initiative seeks to equip students with skills to understand and contribute to sustainable urban development.

Why it matters

This initiative addresses the critical need to adapt educational methodologies to rapid urbanization, digitalization, and sustainability challenges. By fostering analytical and technology-supported learning in urban development, it prepares future generations to understand and navigate complex urban systems, contributing to more sustainable and innovative societal progress.

Key insights

• A methodological framework was developed to integrate smart and sustainable city concepts into secondary school geography.
• The framework moves beyond traditional descriptive teaching toward analytical, technology-supported learning about urban systems.
• The approach utilized a 34-hour ninth-grade elective course, combining content, local case studies, authentic urban data, and mobile learning.
• Google Earth materials and the Bilim All application were key technological components of the delivery.
• The study was conducted with a quasi-experimental design, comparing experimental and control groups.

Source

Frontiers in Education — https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2026.1852558