Geography students' views on the use of orienteering activity in geography education

The aim of this research is to specify student views on orienteering practice in the geography lesson. The usage of the orienteering activity which is related to geography as a method in geography lesson has been discussed. The method variables which may be effective in student views have been examined, besides, the students? suggestions on the practice of orienteering in geography lesson have identified. In the data gathering part of the research, the most comprehensive evaluation method for student views has been used. In order to determine student views in accordance with the application of orienteering practice in geography lessons, a survey has been developed to relate geography and orienteering and finalized through the experts? views. The students involved in the research have had orienteering training, practice and then the survey has been applied to the students trained for orienteering. Through the literature review, it has been realized that there is no study found out in the secondary school education. Being the first study in the concerned field and pioneering as a sample for the forthcoming studies has increased the significance of the research. As a result of the research, it has been identified that the students? views about the orienteering practice in geography lessons are positive. Because of the fact that research data has been concluded inappropriate to be used in SPSS programme, it has not been determined whether the variables, considered to have impact on the views, create significant differences or not. Furthermore, the necessity of the usage of orienteering as a teaching method in geography lessons has revealed. Key Words: Orienteering, geography education, map reading.