Perceptions of Heritage among Students of Early Childhood and Primary Education

José A. López-Fernández, Silvia Medina, Miguel J. López and Roberto García-Morís
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José A. López-Fernández: Department of Geography, La Merced Campus, University of Murcia, 30001 Murcia, Spain
Silvia Medina: Department of Specific Didactics, Faculty of Sciences Education, University of Córdoba, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
Miguel J. López: Department of Specific Didactics, Faculty of Sciences Education, University of Córdoba, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
Roberto García-Morís: Department of Specific Didactis and Research Methods, Faculty of Sciences Education, Elviña Campus, University of A Coruña, 15071 A Coruña, Spain

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 19, 1-16

Abstract: In recent decades, a growing awareness of the importance of preserving cultural heritage as a means of promoting sustainable development has been accompanied by a similar re-evaluation of the role of heritage education as a key driver of citizen engagement. The development and implementation of heritage education at all levels, particularly in the context of teacher training, is of vital importance. The aim of this study is to analyse student teachers’ understanding of heritage and its potential as an educational tool, in order to identify measures to enhance teacher training and practice with respect to heritage and heritage education. The research design consists of a comparative study of a non-random sample of 149 trainee teachers undertaking Bachelor’s degrees in Early Childhood Education and Primary Education at the University of Córdoba (Spain). The results reveal a mainly cultural conception of heritage among both groups, based on local material elements, and little sense of the link between heritage and present-day life. The students studying early childhood education were found to display a more specific knowledge of heritage in their answers, while the primary education students showed a greater awareness of identity and values as features of cultural heritage.

Keywords: heritage education; student teachers; early childhood education; primary education; cultural heritage; teacher attitudes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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