Careers in Geography - Smartphone Activity
A helping hand in your hand
Most students will have access to a mobile phone. This device can be used for a lot more than texting friends. It is an increasingly powerful piece of technology which contains a widening range of additional functions including the following potentially useful resources, which will be available to growing numbers of teenagers:
- Internet access
- Camera / video camera
- Sound recording and playback
- GPS / location services and navigation
These functions could be utilised within the classroom, and also during geographical fieldwork. There is also potential for them to be used when teaching about careers within geography, and also as a guide to the world of careers.
It's only a short step from there to imagine that they might also help to secure a job when students leave school, or provide a range of advice during the job application process.
Remind students that many jobs are not advertised, so using some of the skills developed through geography to identify potential employers to target and to market themselves effectively is increasingly important. In a competitive world, identifying and evidencing their skills, qualities and experiences relevant to work and being proactive in seeking out opportunities are key.
Introducing Apps
One of the key elements of these new phones is the ability to download additional pieces of software and specific applications which are called apps for short.
The market for these apps is huge, and there have been millions of downloads of the most popular.
The following careers related applications are already in existence:
- A Job Centre Plus application, which will identify jobs in the local area and provide details
- A Job Search application, which allows for searches on keywords, and will alert the user to new jobs as they become available
Student Activity: Create an App
You are going to design an application that can be downloaded to a mobile phone.
The app needs to do the following things:
- Help students identify and record their skills, experiences and interests
- Set goals and update their plans
- Create a CV (Curriculum Vitae) that can easily be adapted for different applications
- Help students to fill in application forms appropriately
- Help students search for jobs that they can apply for or identify companies which could be targeted for making speculative applications
- Other features which you create (these will of course be the most important ones)
Use the design sheet to plan out your ideas. Don't forget to think of a name and logo for your application.
Download: Smartphone App Design Sheet (PDF)
Note that you should also aim to use the functions of the phone to make your app even more useful.
Special credit will be given for mention of geography and geographical skills.
Finally, you need to write a description of your application like the one shown above.
Download: Student Activity: Create an App (PDF)
This activity was originally designed by Tony Cassidy from Kirk Hallam Community College.
Statutory Guidance for Impartial Careers Education
This activity will contribute to the following learning outcomes:
Students...
1.1 are able to investigate opportunities for learning and work on their own
2.3 understand the skills and qualifications they need to pursue their ambitions
3.9 are aware of opportunities within local, regional and national labour markets
6.1 understand the relevance to their future lives of each part of the curriculum
6.4 can follow application procedures and prepare for interview
6.6 understand and demonstrate the main qualities, attitudes and skills needed to enter, and succeed in, working life and independent living
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