Exploring the Geography of Food
Food is a basic human need, and right. The production, acquisition and consumption of food occupies everyone to some extent, and connects everyone with the environment, the water cycle, interdependence, global trade and aid, and the changing nature and location of industry. This family of courses explores the development of the coming 'perfect storm' and the relationships between food and the geography curriculum.
These courses complement the CPD units on Food Security which look more deeply at the issues surrounding food security and the 'global food crisis'.
By engaging with these courses, you will be able to develop and extend your geographical expertise in both stand-alone and inter-disciplinary contexts. You will have a better understanding of the connections that food can create within the classroom, and have the opportunity to develop your digital and media literacy by engaging with a range of web-based resources.
You can complete all of the courses or alternatively you may wish to select the courses which suit your particular needs.
Each course is made up of smaller components and resources that can be developed as stand-alone activities for personal and/or staff development. Note that the timings given below are the minimum. The scale of your involvement could range from 15 minutes to several weeks.
The Courses
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Getting Started My learning journey - what will I focus on and how will I achieve this? Minimum course duration: 1 hour |
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Why is hunger a geographical issue? This course looks at some of the central geographical issues related to hunger. Minimum course duration: 1.5 hours |
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OXFAM and 'The Perfect Storm' How is increased food production and a worsening of environmental conditions contributing to a 'perfect storm'? Minimum course duration: 45 minutes - 1 hour |
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Climate change and food supply How does climate change impact upon food production and supply? Thinking about possible futures. Minimum course duration: 1.5 hours |
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Plenty more fish in the sea? This course introduces the issues surrounding sustainability and looks at measures designed to overcome these issues. Minimum course duration: 1 hour |
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Cooking up a storm? This course explores the implications of different methods of food preparation for the environment. Minimum course duration: 1.5 hours |
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Plenary: Thinking about food futures What is the future of our food supply? This course also provides a framework for reflection and suggests how you might share your learning. Minimum course duration: 45 minutes |
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The Take Away: Weblinks and further resources Links and further resources. |
TLA Compatible
These courses have been created specifically to be compatible with the Teacher Learning Academy (TLA) criteria. This means that if you are working towards a TLA Stage One or Two accreditation you can use one or more of these courses to provide the focus for your learning journey.
As you work through the courses, look out for text accompanied by the TLA logo, this will identify connections with the TLA criteria.
What is the TLA and how do I enrol?
Note: Even if you do not intend to work through all of the courses, it is strongly advised that you first read and complete the activities in Getting Started before moving onto any of the other courses in the family. This will provide a firm grounding for your subsequent learning journey. You should also view the Plenary because this allows you to reflect on your learning journey, an essential part of the TLA process. The Take Away provides some directions in which you might take your journey further.
Who might use these courses?
New and becoming teachers: these courses provide activities to develop subject knowledge and teaching standards.
Non-specialist teachers of geography: these courses provide a better understanding of what geography is, how it can be taught in relevant and exciting ways and how it links with the wider curriculum.
Geography subject and Areas of Learning leaders: these courses provide material to help you tackle CPD needs in your school, lead staff meetings, meet whole school agendas and further develop your expertise.
Senior Managers: these courses provide material about whole school issues for staff development days.
Governors: these courses develop your understanding of geography and how it contributes to the wider school agenda.
The images of food in these courses, unless otherwise attributed, are by Alan Parkinson and available to use under a Creative Commons Licence.
