ABSTRACT VIEW
MAPPING PLACE-BASED EDUCATION IN GEOGRAPHY
M. Thenga
University of the Witwatersrand (SOUTH AFRICA)
Place-based education (PBE) is a pedagogical approach that focuses on the integration of local environments, communities, and real-world experiences into learning. PBE deepens students' understanding of spatial and environmental issues. This bibliometric study aims to explore academic literature on place-based education in geography by providing a quantitative view of the trends, patterns and development in this pedagogical approach within the field. The study analyses the leading authors and collaborations between them, the geographical distribution of the research, and key themes within the literature. The study also identifies challenges and opportunities related to place-based education in geography, highlighting its relevance to global issues such as sustainability, climate change, urban development, and social justice within the students' lived experiences. The findings provide a comprehensive map of the academic discussion on PBE, offering valuable insights for researchers, educators and policymakers seeking an understanding of the scope and impact of PBE. This bibliometric analysis contributes to the growing body of literature on PBE by revealing its academic trajectory, recommending future research directions, and promoting the integration of PBE approaches into the geography curriculum.

Keywords: Place-based education, geography, sustainability, environmental education.

Event: INTED2025
Track: Quality & Impact of Education
Session: Quality in Education
Session type: VIRTUAL