Geoliteracy: an approach to enquiry-based learning for Junior Cycle Geography students in Ireland

Broadly corresponding to key stage 3 in
England and Wales, Ireland’s Junior Cycle
covers the first three years in second level
education (students aged 13–15). It serves as a
bridge between primary education and Senior
Cycle Geography. Schools offering secondary
geography introduced the new Junior Cycle
programme (NCCA/DES, 2017) in September
2018. Irish publishers have issued teacher and
student texts, but the CPD on offer is minimal,
although the Association of Geography
Teachers in Ireland is advising teachers
through social media and annual and regional
seminars. The new programme, with its focus
on geoliteracy, marks a significant point in the
history of geographical education in Ireland.
The programme is innovative on paper, but it
remains to be seen how it will be implemented
in the classroom.