Geographic Literacy and World Knowledge amongst Open Distance Learning Students in Zimbabwe

Abstract

In order to succeed in a globally competitive world, it is imperative to acquire knowledge and an understanding of the places and cultures outside the boarders of one's country. Zimbabwe has one of the highest literacy rates in Sub-Saharan Africa but despite this, large gaps exist in the knowledge about the levels of geographic literacy among Zimbabwean students. A survey, adapted from the National Geographic-Roper Global Geographic Literacy Survey, was administered to 103 students (11%) in the Diploma in Science Education programme at Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE). The survey assessed knowledge of geography and world events as well as information about various factors that may influence the participants' geographic literacy. The data were statistically analyzed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS 17.0. Research findings revealed that the participants had high levels of geographic literacy with a mean score of 82 percent. Some of the factors found to influence the scores were sex, frequency of news media access and type of news accessed. While students majoring in the Agriculture, Biology and Geography Option had higher mean scores than other students, having passed Geography at O' Level and age has insignificant influence on the mean score.

Factor Analysis: Geographic Literacy Level of High School Students in North Bandung Area

“…It is feared that the fact that weak geographic literacy in women can affect women's wisdom in making decisions in everyday life. Mhishi et al (2013) revealed that of the 103 Zimbabwean students studied, women's geoliteration was lower than that of men. Some researchers also mention the same thing regarding Some researchers also argue that significant differences are related to sex, with men performing better in terms of geographic information and spatial skills compared to women (Bein, 1990;Cross, 1987;Chiodo, 1993;Eve et al, 1994;Genctürk, 2009;Hardwick et al, 2000;NAEP, 1994;National Geographic Roper Survey, 2002;Roper National Geographic Survey, 2006;Nolan, 2002;Oigara, 2006;Thomas, 2001;Torrens, 2001;Wood et al, 1988;Winship, 2004;Güven, 2021).…”

“…The theory of deficiency argues that spatial abilities are related to human physiology and hormonal levels and that differences in physiology and hormones between men and women cause differences in spatial abilities (Kitchin, 1996). Mhishi et al (2013) argue that gender factors influence a person's level of geographic literacy. Some researchers also argue that significant differences are related to sex, with men performing better in terms of geographic information and spatial skills compared to women (Güven, 2021).…”

“…Watching television is not related to geographical knowledge, but reading about international news in that newspaper (Winship, 2004). Mhishi et al (2013) mentioned that some of the factors found to affect the score were gender, frequency of news media access and the type of news accessed.…”

“…Inferentially obtained the value of Sig = 0.00 is less than the probability value of 0.05 or the value of 0.05>0.00, then H0 is rejected and Ha is accepted meaning that the coefficient of regression is significant. Mhishi et al (2013) mentioned that some of the factors found to affect the score were gender, frequency of news media access and the type of news accessed. Mhishi et al (2013) released research results in addition to gender, frequency of access to news media and the type of news accessed can also increase a person's geographic literacy.…”

“…Mhishi et al (2013) mentioned that some of the factors found to affect the score were gender, frequency of news media access and the type of news accessed. Mhishi et al (2013) released research results in addition to gender, frequency of access to news media and the type of news accessed can also increase a person's geographic literacy.…”