PLAYFUL AND PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES IN GEOLOGY TEACHING: MOTIVATIONAL COMPLEMENT FOR LEARNING It’s unanimous that the teaching of Geology, in the training of individuals, should not limit itself to its scientific features. It is also essential to invest in its formative character since the lowers levels of teaching. The lack of research in this area justifies this investigation, which intended to evaluate the advantages in the application of playful and practical activities as strategic complements. They act as facilitator’s elements in Geology teaching and learning processes. The research methodology adopted was Research & Development with the aim to develop, implement and evaluate two recreational and practical activities. These ones were applied to 71 students of a portuguese public school. Data collecting instruments were elaborated, such as questionnaires and observation reports. The evidences showed that playful and practical activities are valuable strategic complements in the processes of teaching and learning, allowing us to advocate more time and space for them in the teaching process
