Aims of session

1
Aims of session

• To explore the key issues in the teaching and
  learning of school geography
• To become familiar with the Geography National
  Curriculum
• To recognise the contribution of own subject
  knowledge, understanding and skills to teaching
  geography lessons
• To know where to look for support when expected
  to teach geography.

2
Geography in the school curriculum key issues in
teaching and learning.

• What is geography?

3
Geography is..

• Contested and negotiated
• Dynamic
• Multi-faceted

4
the source of geographys uncertain position in
the curriculum is the lack of clarity among not
only the public but also teachers of geography as
to the identity of the subject. Lambert,
2003.(President of the Geographical Association)
5
SCHOOL GEOGRAPHY UNDER THREAT ?

• Numbers of students taking geography to GCSE and
  AS/A Level are dropping
• When compared to most other subjects geography at
  KS3 has had lower standards of achievement,
  progress and quality of teaching (OFSTED, 2004)

6
Most boring subject?
Rote learning of facts and figures about
countries
Working through the textbook turn to p43 and
answer the questions
Colouring in maps.
However recognised good practice offers a
different experience.
7
Some features of effective geography teaching.
(OFSTED)

• Use of topical and local issues
• Encouragement to think about controversial issues
  with sensitivity and objectivity
• Use of wide range of geographical material
  (books, maps,photos,artefacts,buildings,ICT)
• Development of the skills of geographical enquiry
  (questioning, decision-making, considering values
  and attitudes.)

8
Quotes from school students(from Newsround web
site, 2004)

• We go on good field trips out of school
• We do case studies about whats going on in the
  world at the moment
• Our geography lessons are very varied and we do
  things like note-taking, discussions, role play,
  quizzes and loads of other stuff.
• Its very much related to real life.

9
Teaching about the tsunami, 2004
Could a tsunami, like the one in 2004, be
prevented?
Sense of place Location Countries
affected. Maps, photos
Impact Deaths and destruction Poorest in
society Tourism. Photos, maps, data, eye witness
accounts.
Human response Prediction Removal of
mangroves Population distribution. Decision-makin
g exercise
Cause Earthquakes, plate tectonics. Maps,
diagrams.
NC coverage 1 2 (enquiry and skills) 3a,d e
(places) 4a b (patterns processes) 6b,c,i
j (Themes).
10
Where to look for advice on teaching geography

• The National Curriculum for England
  www.nc.uk.net
• The QCA/DfEE Geography schemes of work for KS3
  www.qca.org.uk
• The Geographical Association publishes a wide
  range of resources to support geography teaching
  www.geography.org.uk