Examples of Action Research in the Primary Phase
Research papers on primary geography
This page provides some examples of research into primary geography, covering Foundation, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. The Research Articles page provides a more comprehensive selection of published papers on a range of themes.
Nicola Ross - researching children's geographies
Nicola Ross conducted research on children's geographies in a range of rural and urban settings in Fife, Scotland during 1996 and 1997. This paper discusses the main findings and the research methods used. Altogether 84 children aged between ten and twelve from seven primary schools in Fife took part in activity-based research. This was followed by interviews with selected children and parents. The activity sessions consisted of mapwork exercises, children's self-directed photography, writings, drawings and commentary. The original article was published in Occasional Paper No.4 - Place and Space, Register of Research in Primary Geography, 2004, pp.30-34.
Researching children's geographies using a multi-method approach
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Faith Jenner - perceptions of distant places
The following extracts are taken from Faith Jenner's student dissertation considering the knowledge young children (Year 1) had before and after teaching about a place in Kenya. The pre-test information directed the use of a BBC Zig Zag programme and Geographical Association and Action Aid photopacks which between them covered both rural and urban Kenya. The post-test information highlighted certain fundamental conclusions. This paper focuses on methodology, in particular how to code interviews. Her conclusions make interesting reading. An article on Faith Jenner's research will be published in Occasional Paper No.5 - Classroom Research (in preparation).
Young children's perceptions of distant places
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Colin Storey - tracking geographical learning
This paper reports on Colin Storey's research work tracking the learning of geographical concepts by four year olds through an academic year. He gathered children's assessments of place information from postcards and email communication. This is part of a longer article in Occasional Paper No.2 - Best Practice in Raising Achievement, Register of Research in Primary Geography, 2002, pp.85-94 which can also be read online via the British Education Index.
Foundation to key stage 1: Using ICT with reception children
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Paula Owens - children's values and attitudes
This document summarises research undertaken by Paula Owens in which children were asked to draw anything in the school grounds that they themselves considered special and important. A longer article entitled 'Where has all the wonder gone?' was published in Occasional Paper No.1 - Raising Achievement in Geography, Register of Research in Primary Geography, 2000, pp.79-86 and can be read online via the British Education Index (Word). Another article, 'Researching the development of children's environmental values in the early school years' was published in Special Publication No.1 - Researching Primary Geography, Register of Research in Primary Geography, 2004, pp.64-76 and can also be read online via the British Education Index (Word).
Key stage 1: A study of the development and progression of children's environmental attitudes and values
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Dawn Jones - teaching methods and mapping skills
Dawn Jones investigated the differences in Key Stage 2 pupils' mapping abilities and if these could be improved through direct teaching over a short period of time. An article on her research will be published in Occasional Paper No.5 - Classroom Research (in preparation).
Key stage 2: The role of teaching in learning mapping skills
(187k)
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