Anita Todorova
Marija Ljakoska
Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Institute of Geography, Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia
DOI:
UDC: 373.3.011.3-52:911.3(5)
Published: August 2026
Keywords: socio-geographical characteristics, Asia, pupils, seventh grade, diagnostic pre-test, misconceptions
Abstract:
The demographic diversity and dynamic urban processes make the socio-geographical profile of Asia a significant challenge for understanding among primary school pupils. This paper aims to determine the initial level of understanding of seventh-graders regarding key concepts related to population and settlements in Asia. The research was conducted using the four-tier diagnostic pre-test, which enables a precise distinction between genuine knowledge, misconceptions (deep-rooted incorrect understandings), and a lack of knowledge (random guessing), by measuring pupils’ confidence in their answers. The test was designed to identify their prior knowledge and patterns of reasoning before the formal processing of the curriculum for Asia. The research is based on the assumption that pupils possess general knowledge regarding this topic acquired from various informal sources, which contributes to the formation of persistent and incorrect understandings of certain concepts. Before the main data collection, a pilot study was run to examine the functionality and reliability of the diagnostic test. The testing was conducted among pupils from several primary schools situated in various urban and suburban areas. The results indicate the presence of pronounced misconceptions and conceptual ambiguities, particularly related to population density, urban centers, and religion. The analysis of the obtained results enables to identify content areas that confuse geography teaching and represents a starting point for improving instructional strategies and curricular content in primary education.
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