Application of the Project Method in the Study of Population and Settlements

The application of the project method in the study of population and settlements contributes to the creation of over-learning environment that motivates students to seek for information by themselves, to process and analyse geographic information, to activate their personal interest when acquiring knowledge, and helps the formation of communicative, social and subject competencies. When applying the project method in the study of population and settlements we use a system of cognitive educational methods and activities to solve certain demographic problems on the basis of self-cognitive activities and the creation of a particular educational product. The results of the project should be “tangible”, i.e. if the problem is theoretical – to propose a specific solution, if the problem is practical – to propose a concrete result. We apply the Project method as a system included in the school curriculum because: ？ Research topics about population and settlements are essential for the modern geographical science and it has decisive place in the school curriculum in geography and economics ？ The school curriculum for population and settlements is included in all classes of the education system and contributes to the realization of inner-discipline and intra-disciplinary synthesis ？ The school curriculum for population and settlements leads to the humanization of geographic education by updating the system of universal and national values and to the implementation of person-oriented learning process. The project activity involves particular elements of the Project Method and has an introductory character. In the 5th grade, it is related to the implementation of monitoring and study of the home settlement and writing an essay. In the 4th grade, it is transformed into the study of the life and customs of the Indians. The aim is to develop an answer to a research question: “The Indians – the Ancient Inhabitants of the Americas” and “The Empire of the Incas – Main Spaceport or the Greatest Astronomy Book?”. Substantive aspects of the Project Method in the 7th to 10th grades are varied. In the 7th grade is treated the topic “The Bulgarian Researchers in Antarctica”. The results are presented as a role play – a press conference and interviews with scientists (geologist, ornithologist, hydrologist, and climatologist). In the 8th grade, the project is aimed at exploring the cultural heritage and the establishment of ethnic diversity in the city of Shumen. Particularly, the traditions and customs of the Bulgarians, the Muslims, the Jews and the Armenians. The results are