The use of teaching aids in the teaching of plate tectonics in the Moroccan secondary cycle: Practices and challenges

Abstract

In Morocco, earth sciences occupy a more or less important place within the life and earth sciences curricula taught at the secondary level. However, teaching and learning geological concepts poses challenges for both students and teachers because of their abstract nature. Teaching aids are effective ways to overcome these difficulties. The aim of our study is to assess the frequency of the use of various teaching aids in the teaching of plate tectonics at the secondary school level. We conducted a questionnaire survey among 110 secondary school life and earth sciences teachers selected from various regions of Morocco to achieve this goal. Our results revealed that the teaching aids most frequently used in geology lessons are paper documents and black/white boards. In addition, teachers make limited use of ICT and innovative technology in their lessons. In conclusion, these results indicate that teachers require comprehensive professional training, both initially and in service, on all the didactic aids that could enhance learning in the earth sciences. Equipping schools with these tools is also crucial.