BUILDING DIDACTIC ALTERNATIVES: THE USE OF SATELLITE IMAGES FOR THE STUDY OF ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION IN SCHOOL GEOGRAPHY

Abstract

This paper highlights the didactic potential of satellite images in Geography classes, with emphasis on the study of environmental degradation. Specifically, it aims to: a) outline the history of geotechnologies, highlighting proposals for their integration to basic education; b) discuss the use of satellite images as didactic material to be used in geography teaching; c) propose a case study about environmental degradation using satellite images, according to the guidelines proposed by the Brazilian National Common Curricular Base (Base Nacional Comum Curricular, BNCC) pertaining to teaching 5th grade of Brazilian elementary education. Objectives were achieved through bibliographical research. The development of didactic proposal was oriented by a previously selected theme on environmental degradation: “the areas of pebble and massará extraction in the northern region of Teresina-PI for the civil construction sector”. Landsat 5 images from the municipality of Teresina-PI were collected from the Brazilian National Institute for Space Research (INPE) website and from Google Earth Pro software. Results indicate that the products of remote sensing are alternatives for identification of degraded environs, for familiarization with studied objects and for reading environmental impacts. However, applying such resources requires adaptations in conformity with the school infrastructure and the methodology employed by the teacher.