LEVERAGING GEOGRAPHY TEACHERS' PEDAGOGICAL SKILLS TO ENHANCE SECONDARY STUDENTS' UNDERSTANDING OF TOURISM CONCEPTS

This study assesses the application of pedagogical skills in geography teaching environments and their influence on students' understanding of tourism concepts. A random sample of 197 teachers was selected from the Irbid district of Jordan, and data were collected using a validated questionnaire focusing on pedagogical performance skills and social pedagogical skills. The findings revealed limited proficiency among teachers in employing both skill sets to improve students' understanding of tourism concepts, with notable deficiencies in facilitating student interaction, effective communication, an d active learning strategies. The study underscores the urgent need for improved professional development for teachers and curriculum revisions to better integrate tourism concepts. The implications of this study suggest that educational stakeholde rs should adopt diverse interactive teaching methods to foster an engaging learning environment that encourages student participation. Furthermore, there is a critical need for training programs that equip teachers with innovative learning techniques based on active learning strategies, ultimately aiming to enhance the quality of education and deepen students' understanding of tourism concepts.