Geography is an important subject that allows us to understand and appreciate the world around us. However, traditional classroom materials can often be limiting in their scope and accessibility. Fortunately, there are many open educational resources (OER) available online that provide free access to high-quality teaching materials for geography lessons.
1. OER for teaching geography
Open educational resources for teaching geography cover a wide range of topics, from physical geography to human geography. These resources are designed to help students learn about different aspects of the earth’s surface and how they interact with each other.
One great example of OER for teaching geography is OpenGeoEdu, which offers free online courses on various geographic themes such as environmental protection, urban development and climate change adaptation among others. The platform also provides downloadable learning materials including presentations, exercises and quizzes.
Another resource worth mentioning is GeoGebra, which offers interactive maps and tools that allow students to explore geographical concepts through hands-on activities. Students can use these tools to create maps or charts showing population density or weather patterns in different parts of the world.
2. Open educational resources for environmental studies
Environmental studies deal with understanding the environment we live in and how humans interact with it. There are several OERs available that focus specifically on this area of study.
The Environmental Science Labs platform provides virtual lab experiments that simulate real-life scenarios related to energy consumption or pollution control among others while allowing students to work at their own pace under a safe environment without putting themselves at risk unnecessarily .
Another useful resource is EarthEcho International’s Watershed Explorer which provides interactive content aimed at engaging young learners in exploring water quality issues affecting local communities across America using augmented reality technology .
3. Geography lesson plans using OER
Lesson planning can be a daunting task but using open educational resources makes it easier by providing teachers with ready-made lesson plans . Teachers can customize them according to their needs before presenting them in class.
For instance , TeachEngineering.org provides lesson plans for K-12 teachers including activities and projects that can be done in the classroom or at home. The platform also offers teacher professional development training focused on teaching engineering concepts.
4. Free online resources for learning about world cultures
Learning about different cultures is an important part of geography education because it helps students understand how people from different parts of the world live, work, and interact with each other. Thankfully, there are many free online resources available to help students learn about world cultures.
One such resource is the World Culture Encyclopedia which provides information on over 150 countries and their customs, traditions, and beliefs . Another great resource is CultureGrams which offers a wealth of information about different countries around the world including cultural practices , food habits , dress code among others .
5. Open educational resources for studying climate change
Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing our planet today. Fortunately, there are many OERs available that focus specifically on this topic.
The Climate.gov website provides a wide range of resources aimed at educating both students and adults alike on climate science . The platform includes interactive maps showing climate patterns across America as well as informative articles explaining environmental phenomena happening across the globe .
Another useful resource worth mentioning is Earth Science Week’s Climate Connection which focuses specifically on helping learners understand how weather patterns relate to natural disasters like hurricanes or floods through real-world examples .
6. OER for exploring different ecosystems
Ecosystems play an important role in sustaining life on earth by providing habitats for plants and animals as well as regulating air quality among other things . Understanding these complex systems requires specialized knowledge that can be difficult to access without proper guidance.
Thankfully, there are several OERs available that provide detailed information about ecosystems around the world. One such resource is EcoEdNet which offers free multimedia tools like videos and podcasts aimed at educating learners about ecosystem dynamics while addressing environmental challenges faced by communities around the world.
Another resource worth checking out is BioInteractive which provides virtual labs and simulations that allow learners to explore different ecosystems in depth . The platform also offers free teacher professional development resources focused on teaching biology concepts.
7. Geography games and activities using open educational resources
Games and activities are a great way to engage students in learning about geography. There are many OERs available that offer fun, interactive ways for students to learn about different geographic concepts.
Some of these include iCivics which provides educational games aimed at helping learners understand how government operates while addressing civic challenges faced by communities across America . Another great resource is Seterra which offers free online quizzes covering a wide range of geographical topics from world capitals to physical features such as mountains or rivers .
8. Free online maps and atlases for geography lessons
Maps and atlases are essential tools for teaching geography but traditional ones can be expensive or difficult to access. Fortunately, there are many free online maps and atlases available that provide detailed information about different parts of the world.
One example is Google Maps which allows users to explore satellite imagery from around the globe with just a few clicks . Another useful resource worth mentioning is National Geographic’s MapMaker Interactive which lets users create custom maps showing population density , weather patterns or even historical events .
9. OER for teaching about natural disasters and hazards
Natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, tsunamis etc., can have devastating effects on people’s lives if they’re not prepared adequately before they strike . It’s thus important for educators to teach their students how best they can prepare themselves against such occurrences .
Thankfully there are several OERs available aimed at educating learners on disaster preparedness strategies including FEMA’s Ready.gov website which provides easy-to-use checklists ensuring everyone has access to vital information needed during an emergency situation regardless of their location in America
Other helpful resources include USGS’ Natural Hazards Center which provides information on hazards that may occur in different parts of the world while offering customizable risk assessments for businesses and households .
10. Open educational resources for learning about global trade and commerce
Global trade is a complex process that involves multiple players including governments, businesses , and individuals . Fortunately, there are several OERs available aimed at helping learners understand how this process works.
One such resource is MIT’s Global Entrepreneurship Bootcamp which offers free online courses focused on teaching entrepreneurship skills to young people interested in starting their own business. The platform also provides mentorship opportunities from experienced entrepreneurs who can offer valuable insights into the global marketplace .
Another useful resource worth checking out is Tradeology, a publication by International Trade Administration (ITA) which aims at educating readers about international trade agreements as well as providing helpful tips for growing your business overseas.
11. Virtual field trips using open educational resources
Field trips can be expensive or logistically challenging to organize especially during pandemics but virtual field trips offer an alternative way of exploring the world from the comfort of your home or classroom.
One example of OERs offering virtual field trips includes Google Arts & Culture which allows users to explore cultural heritage sites around the world through immersive 3D experiences including museums , art galleries among others . Another great resource is Discovery Education’s Virtual Field Trips which provide interactive content allowing learners to experience different settings such as space exploration or wildlife conservation efforts without leaving their desk .
12. Free online resources for studying historical geography
Historical geography helps us understand how past events shaped our present-day world . Thankfully there are many OERs available that offer detailed information about historical events as well as their geographic impact.
One such resource is Historypin which provides access to over 100 million historical photos across America with accompanying stories behind each image. Another great resource worth mentioning is Stanford University’s Spatial History Project which uses digital maps and imagery to help students visualize historical events like immigration patterns or the evolution of cities over time.
13. OER for teaching about urbanization and city planning
Urbanization is an important topic in geography education as it helps students understand how cities grow and develop over time . There are several OERs available that provide useful information on this topic.
One such resource is CityLab which provides articles, data visualizations and interactive maps focused on exploring different aspects of urban life including transportation, housing , as well as social issues affecting communities across America . Another great resource worth checking out is Project for Public Spaces which offers free resources aimed at helping learners understand the importance of public spaces in shaping our urban environment .
14. Open educational resources for exploring the world’s oceans
The ocean covers more than 70% of our planet’s surface making it one of the most important geographic features to study . Fortunately, there are many OERs available that offer detailed information about marine biology , oceanography among other related fields .
One such resource is Ocean Explorer which provides free multimedia tools like videos, podcasts and webinars aimed at educating learners about ocean science while addressing environmental challenges faced by communities around the world.
Another useful resource worth mentioning is SeaSketch which allows users to create custom marine spatial plans showing how different activities like fishing or shipping can be managed sustainably within a given area along with visualization tools that help better communicate complex ideas regarding sea policy-making decisions.
15. Geography podcasts using open educational resources
Podcasts have become a popular way to learn new things while multitasking during mundane activities like commuting or exercising. Thankfully there are many geography-related podcasts available as OERs providing engaging content for curious minds.
Some examples include Radiolab’s “Mapping Stereotypes” episode which explores racist stereotypes associated with different parts of America based on geographical regions; Stuff You Should Know’s “How Maps Work” episode explaining what goes into creating maps from scratch through interviewing experts in cartography field ; National Geographic’s “Overheard at National Geographic” podcast which offers in-depth insights into different geographic phenomena including environmental issues affecting our planet.
16. Free online resources for learning about indigenous cultures around the world
Indigenous communities around the world have unique cultural practices that are worth exploring as part of geography education . There are many OERs available that provide detailed information on these cultural practices and their geographical significance.
One such resource is Native Land which offers an interactive map showing the traditional lands of different indigenous groups across America while providing links to further information regarding each community’s culture, language or even treaties they signed with government entities .
Another great resource worth mentioning is Cultural Survival which provides articles and videos aimed at educating learners about different indigenous cultures, including their music, art , literature among other aspects .
17. OER for studying migration patterns and human geography
Understanding how humans move from one place to another is an important aspect of geography education . Fortunately there are several OERs available that provide valuable insights into this topic.
One such resource is Migration Policy Institute which offers free reports analyzing global demographic trends affecting migration patterns along with data visualization tools that help better communicate complex ideas regarding immigration policies decisions-making processes .
Another useful resource worth checking out is Humanitarian Data Exchange (HDX) platform which provides access to datasets related to forced displacement worldwide allowing educators to create customized visualizations using various software applications like Tableau or PowerBI.
18. Open educational resources for teaching about sustainable development
Sustainable development involves finding ways to meet current needs without compromising future generations’ ability to meet theirs . There are several OERs available aimed at helping learners understand what sustainable development means and how it can be achieved.
One such resource is Sustainable Development Goals Academy which provides free online courses focused on teaching sustainability concepts like climate change adaptation or poverty alleviation strategies through real-world examples. The platform also offers mentorship opportunities from experienced professionals who can offer valuable insights into sustainability careers .
Another useful resource worth checking out is the Global Reporting Initiative which provides free sustainability reporting guidelines for companies and organizations around the world. Educators can use these guidelines to teach learners about corporate social responsibility practices.
19. Geography videos using open educational resources
Videos are a great way to engage learners in geography education by providing visual aids that help them better understand complex concepts . There are several OERs available that offer high-quality video content on different geographic topics.
One such resource is TED-Ed which offers animated lessons focused on teaching geospatial concepts like how we map our world or why some parts of America have more tornadoes than others among other subjects .
Another great resource worth mentioning is Khan Academy’s Geography section which provides video tutorials covering basic geography concepts including physical features, human impact , as well as climate change phenomena affecting our planet.
20. Free online tools and apps to enhance geography lessons with OER
There are many free online tools and apps available that teachers can use alongside OERs to enhance their geography lessons . Some examples include:
– My Maps by Google which allows users to create custom maps showing various geographical features while adding personalized notes
– Kahoot! which offers interactive quizzes allowing students to compete against one another while reviewing key terms or concepts related to geography.
– Quizlet which provides flashcards covering a wide range of geographic topics from country capitals to geological formations .
– Classcraft, an RPG based game designed specifically for education purposes providing educators with class management tools while offering an engaging experience for students during lessons .
In conclusion, there are many open educational resources available that offer valuable support for teaching geography at all levels of learning. These resources provide teachers with access to high-quality multimedia materials that make it easier for them to deliver engaging and effective instruction in this important subject area.
Alternative Amie 
Leave a comment