GA Annual Conference - University of Derby 8-10 April 2010
Keynote Address: Why geography still inspires me after all these years
All KS
Doreen Massey, Professor of Geography, The Open University
The GA's manifesto argues that 'thinking geographically' provides us with a language that works at different levels. This lecture took up that idea and explored how a geographical perspective intersects with different modes of our 'being in the world' - from a sense of wonder, to scientific enquiry, to some of the biggest philosophical questions we face in the world today.
Download: Lecture Review (PDF, 128k)
Lecture 1: Teaching in a changing climate
All Key Stages
Chip Cunliffe, Head of Operations, Catlin Arctic Survey
Chair's Notes: Chip Cunliffe had returned from the Arctic three days before the lecture. He portrayed it as a contested place with many unanswered questions that beg discovery. In contrast to the Antarctic, competing claims are being made for the Arctic sea bed from the surrounding five nations due to the potential for mineral exploitation. The lecture outlined the difficult expeditionary work of the Caitlin Arctic Survey, led by Pen Hadow, collecting important scientific information about the ice and its composition, with increasing areas of open water appearing unpredictably. He explained the distribution of different kinds of sea ice and highlighted its fragility, noting its changing state may be both an indicator and a catalyst for climate change. In addition to scientific data, Chip highlighted educational resources produced by the expeditions.
Website: Catlin Arctic Survey
Lecture Plus 1: Identifying Europe's Identity
KS3-P16
Dr Anke Uhlenwinkel, Lecturer, University of Potsdam, Germany; Uwe Krause, Lecturer, Fontys Lerarenopleiding Tiburg, Netherlands and Dr Clare Brooks, Lecturer, Institute of Education, London
This session introduced the European Values Education Project which opens up the empirical findings of the European Values Study for geography lessons. It involves pupils, teachers, teacher trainees and their lecturers. The tasks, partly developed during exchanges of teacher trainees, are published in the languages of the participating countries. See www.atlasofeuropeanvalues.eu for background information.
Download: PowerPoint Slides - Anke Uhlenwinkel (PDF, 2M)
Download: PowerPoint Presentation - Uwe Krause (PPT, 5.6M)
Lecture Plus 4: Active geography in your local area - how GA networks can support you
All Key Stages
John Davidson, Chair, GA Branches Working Party
This session showed how local GA networks can support geography in your area. It demonstrated the variety of local activities available through GA cluster groups, and how you can gain from being involved in these networks. Presented by GA Branches Working Party
Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 438k)
Download: PowerPoint Presentation - GA Branch Case Study (PPT, 2.8M)
Website: GA Branches
Lecture Plus 6: 8 ways with iPods and new technology
EY-P16
Steve Rawlinson, Principal Lecturer, Northumbria University
This session discussed how the Living Geography '8 way thinking' learning framework has been further developed to utilise new technologies. The success of this approach was evaluated using materials from users of all ages.
Download: PowerPoint Presentation - Pitlochry Fieldwork (PPT, 2.1M)
Lecture 5: The challenges of global learning
KS1-P16
Hetan Shah, Chief Executive, DEA
This lecture explored the challenges associated with embedding global perspectives in the curriculum and across the whole school, and considered the importance of maintaining a critical perspective on areas such as international development and environmental sustainability.
Download: Lecture Notes (PDF, external website)
Lecture 7: Talking our heads off - discussing discussions
KS3-P16
Sophia Kulick, PhD Student, Universitat Potsdam, Germany
Discussions are an important part of geography lessons. This session gave a short introduction to empirical studies on discussions in the geography classroom in Germany. It proposed some ideas for the assessment of discussions on geographical topics as well as a framework for evaluating discussions with students.
Download: PowerPoint Slides (PDF, 480k)
Lecture 9: Google Earth: Practical Ideas
KS3-P16
James Riley, Teacher of Geography, Lawrence Sheriff School
This session gave examples of how to use the basic functions of Google Earth in secondary school geography lessons. Methods were explained and demonstrated, and both teacher- and student-led activities were covered. No experience necessary!
Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 9.7M)
Download: Session Handout (PDF, 91k)
Lecture 10: Fair trade and schools
KS2-P16
Paul Chandler, Chief Executive, Traidcraft
How does fair trade really work and why should it matter to schools? The Chief Executive of Britain's leading fair trade organisation, Traidcraft, explored geographical themes in fair trade and how it can enrich the curriculum - in the classroom and beyond.
Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 16M)
Website: Traidcraft
Lecture 15: National Parks in the 21st Century
All Key Stages
Richard Leafe, Chief Executive, Lake District National Park Authority
England's first National Parks were created 60 years ago. These special places connect us to the past, but what of about the future? Using the example of the Lake District National Park, this session considered the future of the Parks' landscapes, their communities, businesses and culture, in a world of change.
Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 12M)
Lecture 18: Journey to the sinking lands
KS3-P16
Dan Box, Reporter
The world's first official evacuation of an entire people as a result of climate change has begun on the Carteret Islands in Papua New Guinea. In this lecture, Dan Box, who witnessed the first boatload of people flee, described life on the islands and the physical devastation causing them to be abandoned.
This PowerPoint Presentation is very large and may take a few minutes to download.
Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 32M)
Download: Lecture Notes (PDF, 90k)
Website: Journey to the Sinking Lands
Website: Flickr - Dan Box's Photostream
Lecture 20: Floods - why they can only get worse
P16
Professor Stuart Lane, Executive Director, Institute of Hazard and Risk Research, Durham University
Chair's notes: Stuart Lane gave an enlightening lecture to close the conference outlining how the 'usual suspects' that are blamed for increases in flooding are not the most important drivers. The lecture unveiled how development on flood plains makes us more vulnerable to flooding calamities. Analytical approaches to managing flood-prone areas have proved inadequate as innate psychological and emotional responses to living with landscapes and events overtake any rationalisation. The lecture concluded that flood incidence has not become worse in the last 100 years but flooding will increase unless we can develop better geographical perceptions of flood-prone areas alongside understanding of causes. Interestingly, this was confirmed in the discussion, as a teacher from a school located in one of the case studies in the lecture relayed how students were blind to being in a flood-prone area.
Workshop 1: Achieving recognition for quality geography
EY-KS2
Wendy North and Dr Paula Owens, Primary Curriculum Development Leaders, Geographical Association
The Primary Geography Quality Mark is both an award and an amazingly powerful tool for supporting primary schools as they develop and celebrate quality geography. This session provided an opportunity to share ideas with subject co-ordinators who have previously achieved the award.
Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 3.6M)
Website: Primary Geography Quality Mark
Workshop 6: Champion ideas for geography in the classroom
KS1-2
Graeme Eyre, Head of Geography, Anglo European School and Dr Paula Owens, Primary Curriculum Development Leader, Geographical Association
This session focused on teaching ideas that give pupils a greater understanding of place. By the end of the session delegates had a range of practical ideas and resources for immeditae use in the classroom.
Download: Champion ideas and resource links (PDF, 54k)
Download: A geography friendly classroom (PDF, 441k)
Download: Books in Primary Geography (PDF, 1.5M)
Workshop (IT) 7: Using ICT to develop visual literacy
KS2-3
Kate Russell, Senior Adviser for Geography, Staffordshire and Wendy North, Primary Curriculum Development Leader, Geographical Association
ICT is important at Key Stages 2 and 3. This session explored how digital pictures can enhance pupils' learning and geographical understanding and help them present their findings.
Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 1.4M)
Workshop 8: AfL - myths, misconceptions and issues
KS3-4
Elaine Lockwood, AfL Consultant, Lancashire
This session explored some of the myths, misconceptions and issues that surround AfL and looked at strategies to ensure that it is used to make a more profound impact on pupils' learning. It was designed to be interactive with opportunities to network and share good practice. Presented by GA TEWG
Download: Session Handout (PDF, 529k)
Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 1.6M)
Download: AfL: Fact versus Fiction (PDF, 61k)
Download: AfL: Outstanding quality, progression and issues (PDF, 148k)
Download: AfL: Terminology (PDF, 165k)
Workshop 10: Making the world come to life in the classroom
KS1-4
GA Physical Geography Working Group
This session focused on ways to bring the teaching of bringing physical geography to life in order to inspire and engage learners to think about the world around them. Lots of practical hints and tips to take back to the classroom. Presented by GA PGWG
Download: Activity Ideas (PDF, 836k)
View: Dramatic Longshore Drift - video of delegate activity
Workshop 15: Using technology to improve fieldwork skills
KS2-P16
Sue Lomas and Nick Lapthorn, GA Learning Outside the Classroom Working Group
Fieldwork is all about exploration and discovery. This session investigated imaginative and creative uses of digital technologies using examples of innovative use of GIS, video cameras and hand-held devices from the Worldwise Challenge weekend. Presented by GA LOtCWG
Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 4.8M)
Download: Workshop Notes (PDF, 43k)
Workshop 16: 'Second helpings': the food crisis one year on
KS3-P16
Alan Parkinson, Secondary Curriculum Development Leader, Geographical Association and John McLaverty, Schools Worker, Oxfam GB
In a follow-up to last year's workshop, this session explored further how the controversial issue of food security can be resourced. Participants had the opportunity to use a range of web tools to 'cook-up' resources to 'take away'.
Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 9.8M)
Download: Session Handout (PDF, 242k)
Download: Fair Miles - Recharting the food miles map (PDF, external website)
Website: Exploring the Geography of Food - Online CPD Unit
Website: Food Security - Online CPD Unit
Workshop 18: Creative responses to place
KS1-2
Emma Morley, Senior Lecturer in Primary Education, University of Winchester
How can the creative arts enhance teaching and learning in primary geography? This session explored some practical activities for developing pupils' creative responses to place.
Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 279k)
Workshop 19: A beginner's guide to GIS
KS2-P16
Bob Lang, Geography Teacher, King Edward VI Five Ways School, Birmingham
This session gave participants an insight into what GIS is and how online versions can be used within the curriculum. It was aimed at participants who have little or no experience of using GIS. Presented by GA ICTWG
Download: A Beginner's Guide To GIS Booklet (PDF, external website)
Workshop 20: Teaching of transport - new approaches
KS3-P16
Dr Charles Rawding, Geography PGCE Course Leader, Edge Hill University
This workshop looked at how new approaches to the teaching of geographies of mobility can be incorporated into the classroom. The session focused on aspects of cultural geography in order to demonstrate how an understanding of mobility is central to the understanding of modern society.
Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 2.73M)
View: 'Motorway at last', British Pathe News, 29 October 1959, film no. 1599.04.
Workshop 21: A sense of space and place
KS1-2
Dr Paula Owens, Primary Curriculum Development Leader, Geographical Association and Anthony Barlow, Teacher, St Peters Smithills Dean CE Primary School
Places are multi-layered, sensory, diverse and often complex spaces, given meaning and form through human interaction. In turn, places help define our identity and evoke a range of emotions. This workshop explored techniques to help you bring places alive in the classroom and reflect on personal and shared meanings. The workshop also linked with sustainability and social cohesion.
Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 1.8M)
Download: Creating a sense of place - activity ideas (PDF, 48k)
Download: Investigating Place (PDF, 536k)
Workshop 22: I want to break free! Expanding geography's influence
KS3-4
David Rogers, Curriculum Leader, Priory School, Southsea
This session explored ways in which geography can encourage informed participation outside of the classroom. A range of practical examples were shared including: engaging with Building Schools of the Future and the built environment; developing creative approaches to encouraging climate change action; and citizenship through geography.
Website: David Rogers Blog (contains workshop summary and presentations)
Workshop 24: Improving the environmental benefits of the farm
KS3-P16
Bobbie Harvey, East Midlands Education Co-ordinator, Farming and Countryside Education and a member of Natural England’s Farm Advice Team
Introduce your students to environmental management by having them take on the role of farm manager. Using geographical skills including fieldwork and primary data collection, they will complete decision-making exercise which highlights the need for a balanced understanding of the relationship between physical, human and environmental geography. In partnership with Natural England
Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 6.1M)
Workshop 27: Writing for publication
P16
Professor Peter Jackson, Professor of Human Geography, University of Sheffield and members of the Geography Editorial Collective
This session aimed to help PGCE/Masters students and teachers write for publication. It provided advice on audience, content and style and how to overcome common writing problems. Participants were invited to bring along their article ideas and were guided through the writing and publication process by the Geography editorial team. Presented by GA Geography Editorial Board
Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 233k)
Website: Geography
Workshop 28: The more you pause, the more you see
KS3-P16
Alan Doherty, Founder, GeoJuice
A workshop on the preparation, design and delivery of presentations. This session covered the use of extraction, images, power points, contrast, repetition, empty space, Pecha Kucha, comic styles and humour! Each participant received a CD and notes to take away.
View/Download: PowerPoint Presentation (external website)
View/Download: Script for PowerPoint Presentation (external website)
View/Download: Questionnaire Graphics (external website)
Website: GeoJuice
Workshop 32: The geography swap shop
KS3-P16
Emma Johns, Head of Geography, Hitchin Girls' School
Want new ideas? If so, then come along and swap an idea that has worked well for you and your students. You'll leave richer beyond your wildest dreams with ideas galore - come on down and swap 'till you drop! Presented by GA SPC
Website: Geography Swap Shop Ning (contains resources, ideas and discussions)
Workshop 42: Reviewing the new A-levels and GCSEs
KS4-P16
Paul Weeden, Secretary, GA Assessment & Examinations Working Group
The new specifications have changed examination structure and coursework. The GA's AEWG is monitoring the impact of these changes and lead this discussion on how teachers are implementing the changes. Delegates were able to share ideas and suggest ways that the GA can best support teachers. Presented by GA AEWG
Download: Session Introduction (PDF, 65k)
Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 1.2M)
Download: PowerPoint Presentation Two (PPT, 465k)
Download: PowerPoint Presentation - Controlled Assessment Regulations (PPT, 276k)
Download: Controlled Assessment Detailed Information (PDF, 155k)
Download: Controlled Assessment FAQs (PDF, 41k)
Download: Controlled Assessment FAQs - Answers (PDF, 112k)
Download: Controlled Assessment Guidance (PDF, 48k)
Download: Controlled Assessment Tips (PDF, 33k)
Download: Controlled Assessment Time and Word Limits (PDF, 34k)
Download: Controlled Assessment True or False (PPT, 131k)
Teacher-to-Teacher: Innovative use of art in geography
KS3-P16
Bob Lang, Geography Teacher, King Edward VI Five Ways School, Birmingham
This session discussed how art and photography have been used to look at the growth, urbanisation and redevelopment of Guangzhou and Beijing. It showed how students' ideas have been used and gave delegates the opportunity to try some of the methods.
Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 5.8M)
Teacher-to-Teacher: Unsettling Settlement
KS3-P16
Richard Bustin, Geography Teacher, Bancroft's School, Woodford Green
This session looked afresh at the way we can teach and learn about 'urban settlement', based on concepts from recent geographical thinking developed in universities. It used pupils' own experiences of urban living as a starting point to develop thoughts around 'Thirdspace'. Linked to research paper.
Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 6M)
Download: Edinburgh Worksheet (PDF, 24k)
Download: Las Vegas Worksheet (PDF, 303k)
Discussion Session: Personal Geographies of pupils and trainee teachers
KS3-P16
Susan Bermingham, Senior Lecturer, Manchester Metropolitan University
This session invited discussion on personal geographies including how they are constructed, whether or not they are good thing, if they should be encouraged and the various factors affecting the use of personal geographies in the classroom.
Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 282k)
Forum: Competence-based learning - the end of geography as we know it?
KS3-4
Chair: Alan Kinder, Chair, GA Education Committee; Panel: Ed Newbold, Gillotts School, Henley on Thames and Deborah Kniveton, Bemrose School, Derby
Following the introduction of the new KS3 PoS, many schools have developed competence-based approaches. Gillotts School in Henley-on-Thames has done so for for the delivery of Y7 geography, history and RS, based upon the RSA's Opening Minds approach. This forum investigated some of the concerns teachers have with competency-based curriculums, and argued that it it is possible to do so without losing the central importance of geography.
Download: Experiences of competence-based learning at Gillotts School (PDF, 81k)
Research Paper: Patterns of entry for GCSE Geography, 2000-2007
KS3-4
Paul Weeden, Secretary, GA Assessment & Examinations Working Group
Pupils in England, at age 14, have the opportunity to make choices about the subjects they will study for the next two years. These choices are influenced by many different factors such as national and local policy, school location, school pupil intake, attainment, parents and peers. This paper looked at the geographical patterns of entry for GCSE Geography at local authority and school level over the period 2000-2007.
Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 1.1M)
Research Paper: Student teachers' experiences of and attitudes to history, geography and science
P16
Dr Susan Pike, Lecturer in Geography Education, St. Patrick's College, Dublin
This paper presented the results of a longitudinal study of Bachelor of Education students between 2004 and 2008 carried out by members of the Irish Association for Social, Scientific and Environmental Education (IASSEE). IASSEE provides a forum for initial teacher educators in Northern Ireland (NI) and the Republic of Ireland (RoI) to share their ideas in history, geography and science education. Amongst the aims of the Association is the improvement of the teaching of history, geography and science education in initial teacher education (ITE).
Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 580k)
Download: Further Information (PDF, 54k)
Research Paper: Reading and writing place: a role for geography education?
All KS
Eleanor Rawling, Member, Geography Editorial Board
This research draws on recent moves in cultural geography to re-emphasise personal engagement with the world around us and to consider the implications of this for geographical education. As Wylie (2004) explains, rather than study landscape and place as if we are detached spectators, there is value in considering 'the interconnectedness of self, body, knowledge and place'. This focus on 'being in' and 'engaging with' the world results in a new interest in activities like walking, running, gardening, painting, filming, photography and writing (i.e. in 'the sources of landscape knowledge and meaning') and causes us to revalue resources such as literature, poetry, painting, film and biographical writing. This focus on active 'being in the world' has relevance for the education of young people. The presentation will suggest how geography educators might engage with these debates to develop a geographical approach to 'reading and writing place' as a key element of a future geography education.
Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 3M)
Research Paper: Unsettling Settlement
KS3-P16
Richard Bustin, Geography Teacher, Bancroft's School, Woodford Green
This classroom based action-research addresses the question of what constitutes a modern, dynamic and relevant geography curriculum. It develops a teaching sequence which attempts to bring ideas from university geography into the secondary classroom. It uses the students' own experiences of urban living as a starting point to develop thoughts around 'Thirdspace' (Soja 1996), which looks at the interaction of people and the environment in which they live. This incorporates 'Firstspace' (the layout of the building) with the 'Secondspace' (the representational space) to create the 'Thirdspace' or 'lived experience'. The Thirdspace of those 'out of place' in the urban environment is the focus of a sequence of lessons which aims to provide an intriguing and insightful sequence of study of urban place.
The action-research involved analysing students' work as well as running focus groups with selected students to refine the teaching unit. It engages critically with curriculum ideology, questions what should or should not form the contemporary geography curriculum and assesses the extent to which Thirdspace could play a role, particularly in light of declining student numbers and the increasing importance of teachers in 'curriculum making'.
Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 3.3M)
Research Paper: Primary children's playground geographies
KS1-2
Professor Simon Catling, Research Leader, Department of Early Childhood and Primary Education, Oxford Brookes University
Primary school playgrounds are a key aspect of younger children's personal geographies. They spend significant time during the school day in the playground, providing them with a variety of experiences and opportunities. These encompass enjoyments and concerns, from the pleasures of meeting and chatting with friends and playing games to problems of aggression and bullying and of time spent in solitude with little to do. Playground spaces can be arid, uniform environments or places of varied 'landscapes' giving children different options for spending their playtimes.
This paper considers some of the possibilities and issues associated with children's time in playgrounds, related in particular to playgrounds as places and experiential environments. It notes that there has been limited research on the place-based and geographical experiences of younger children in school playgrounds, and considers how children might become involved in researching their own and their peers' playground geographies.
Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 762k)
Field Visit: Regeneration, rebranding and redevelopment in Nottingham
KS2-P16
Peter Fox, Leading Teacher & Geography Teacher, Chillwell School & Lakeview College
Nottingham, the 'Queen of the Midlands', has been transformed in recent years. This field visit examined some of the changes that have taken place, building upon the Medieval traditions of the Robin Hood city. Participants walked through the city considering the impact of change and development. The PowerPoint Presentation contains images from the field visit, historical photographs and comprehensive notes.
Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 15M)
Field Visit: Mission Explore
All Key Stages
The Geography Collective
Mission Explore is a new book which challenges Britain's risk-averse culture and aims to get young people doing geographical missions in their own time. Participants in this session took part in various missions to discover new engaging, critical, creative and alternative activities for themselves and their students.
Download: Mission Explore Book Sample - basic training and eight missions (PDF, 13M)
Download: Mission Explore Press Release (PDF, 569k)
Website: Mission Explore
Website: Mission Explore Book Launch on YouTube
PGCE/NQT Event: More than meets the eye
KS1-2
Sharon Witt, Senior Lecturer in Primary Education, University of Winchester
There is more to the local area than first meets the eye. This session provided ideas for looking at a locality from different perspectives and aimed to encourage teachers and pupils to explore and deepen their existing local geographies through a range of creative and sensory activities.
Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 1.3M)
PGCE/NQT Event: Re-imaging place through the creative use of text
KS3-4
Mark Jones, PGCE Geography Tutor, University of the West of England
With cross-curricular collaboration a key element of the KS3 PoS, this session explored how trainee teachers can creatively explore real and imaginary places and spaces through alternative use of written and visual texts.
Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 4.9M)
Download: Notes to accompany PowerPoint Presentation (PDF, 99k)
PGCE/NQT Event: Empowering learners - making AfL count
KS3-4
Elaine Lockwood, AfL Consultant, Lancashire
This session looked at some of the issues that frequently occur in the classroom and explored a range of strategies to ensure that students' learning is profoundly impacted before they leave the classroom. It was designed to be interactive with opportunities to network and share good practice.
Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 1.5M)
Download: Tips to enhance AfL - Bookmarks (PDF, 215k)
Download: AfL: Outstanding quality and progression (PDF, 183k)
Download: AfL: Terminology (PDF, 165k)
Download: AfL: Terminology (Simplified) (PDF, 137k)
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