assignment two interactive workshop topic: the need to make geography mandatory from years 6 to 10

Assignment TwoInteractive Workshop

Topic: The need to make Geography mandatory from

years 6 to 10

James LymerRachel Bola

Pamela SlackAshlee Patzwald

Why are participants attending our workshop?Participants attending our workshop should be interested in and in favour of the need to make geography mandatory from years six to ten.

Why is our workshop relevant?Our workshop is relevant because of the introduction of the National Curriculum which will see the reintroduction of Geography as a stand alone subject.

What are some key questions/issues being addressed?Please see the “Focus Questions” slide.

What is the focus of our workshop?The focus of this workshop is to inform participants of the need for geography to be a mandatory subject from year six, and also to provide participants with additional information regarding the teaching a learning of Geography

Rationale

Why should geography be made compulsory? What is the importance of teaching and

learning about geography? What are some appropriate theoretical

frameworks to use? What are some appropriate teaching

strategies? What types of learning experiences should

students be exposed to?

Focus Questions

What cross-curricular links should be made to geography?

What are some present issues surrounding the teaching of geography?

Why is professional development important? What are the most appropriate types of

assessment?

Focus Questions(continued)

What is your definition of Geography? Did you study Geography at school? Why/why not? Did you enjoy studying Geography at school? Why/why not? How do you think your learning experience with Geography

could have been made more exciting /interesting? Do you think Geography should be made compulsory?

Why/why not? What has been your experience with teaching Geography so

far? What do you think about the new (national) Geography

curriculum?

Questions for Participants(Please respond on the following page)

Responses to Questions Posed

Geography is the study of the Earth’s lands, features, inhabitants, and phenomena. This includes the study of place, space, scale, interdependence, environmental interaction, changing physical and human processes and diversity.

Geography - Definition

Educators should be working towards achieving these goals with their students

These goals are addressed in detail in the position paper

Goal 1: Australian schooling promotes equity and excellence Goal 2: All young Australians become successful learners,

confident and creative individuals, and active and informed citizens

http://www.curriculum.edu.au/verve/_resources/National_Declaration_on_the_Educational_Goals_for_Young_Australians.pdf

Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young

Australians



Multiple intelligences – like all other subjects, Geography should be taught in ways that meet as many different learning styles as possible

Bloom’s Taxonomy – encourages higher order thinking

De Bono’s six thinking hats – also encourages thinking skills

Constructivism – promotes problem solving abilities as students construct their own meaning from their own experiences and build on this knowledge

Social constructivism – Geography education is a product and producer of society

http://210.101.116.28/W_kiss9/58900300_pv.pdf

Theoretical Frameworks

http://210.101.116.28/W_kiss9/58900300_pv.pdf

http://210.101.116.28/W_kiss9/58900300_pv.pdf

In Queensland, SOSE involves the study of history, geography, economics and sociology. The knowledge and understanding indicators of the SOSE curriculum are organised in four areas; time, continuity and change, place and space, culture and identity and political and economic systems. This broad range of content that must be covered does not allow for a strong focus on geography.

Many teachers have experienced the absorption of geography into SOSE and this has resulted in a loss of the content, rigour and skills that were taught when geography was a stand alone subject. Teachers have found that students studying geography in the final years of high school are lacking the basic knowledge required for that level of study.

http://eprints.qut.edu.au/5894/1/5894.pdf

The Importance of Teaching and Learning about Geography



Geography develops knowledge of places and environments throughout the world

Geography develops understandings of maps, and a range of investigative and problem solving skills

As students study geography, they come across different societies and cultures. This develops understandings about how nations rely on each other

Students also learn about the consequences that can arise from everyday decision making

Geography can inspire students to think about their own place in the world and their own personal values, rights and responsibilities to other people and the environment

http://www.acara.edu.au/verve/_resources/Draft__Shape__AC_Geography21062010.pdf

The Importance of Teaching and Learning about Geography

(continued)



The perceived decline in the teaching of geography has been linked to several factors including curriculum structures, teaching and learning, school organisation and teacher professional development. Obstacles to the quality of teaching and learning of geography have been listed on the following slide.

http://www.dest.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/8221F0DF-E962-402E-A64E-0D26B910F328/21023/geographyreport.pdf

Issues Surrounding the Teaching and Learning of Geography


1. Problems caused by the amalgamation of geography into Studies of Society and Environment (SOSE)

2. Loss of status for geography and geography teachers3. Loss of priority for geography in an over-crowded

curriculum4. The shortage of suitably qualified geography teachers5. Failure to engage students6. Lack of incentives to study geography in senior years



(continued)


Many of the previously stated issued could be overcome in the following ways:

1. Reintroducing geography as a stand alone subject2. Teachers and schools treating the subject as

important and ensuring adequate teaching time is allocated

3. Providing professional development to give teachers the necessary skills to teach geography effectively

4. Enthusiasm shown in teaching Geography



(continued)


Feedback

Strong leadership with an unrelenting focus on improvement

Shared commitment to: implementing the required curriculum embedding literacy and numeracy

across all learning areas embedding higher order thinking in all

learning areas Quality curriculum and planning to

improve learning Teaching focused on the achievement of

every student Monitoring student progress and

responding to learning needs

Teaching Strategies

Years 5 and 6Teaching Approaches Spatial interaction Spatial analysis

Years 7-10Teaching Approaches Human agency Scalar Cultural/social

constructivisthttp://www.acara.edu.au/verve/_resources/Draft__Shape__AC_Geography21062010.pdf



The quality of geography education is enhanced by the following factors:

Adequate time given to the teaching of Geography Teachers who:

have the academic background and skills to facilitate rigorous and in depth learning teaching the subject when possible

have a passion for the subject and a belief in its value within the curriculum

have up to date knowledge and skills in teaching Geography.

have the confidence to embrace and utilise new technology

Teaching Strategies

Develop positive relationships with students Access technology such as computers, Geographic

Information Systems, broadband internet and software programs wherever possible

Participate in excursions and fieldwork as these activities develop students’ skills and connect classroom learning with real world applications

Focus on students’ understanding of the relevance of learning experiences to themselves and others

Teaching Strategies(continued)




Activities should involve problem solving and higher order thinking skills to challenge and extend students.

Incorporate current learning theory into teaching practices, i.e. Multiple Intelligences and Thinking Skills

Incorporate a range of different learning activities in the classroom to cater for the different learning styles of students, e.g. role plays, group work, individual research, and team investigations

Provide opportunities for student involvement in practical, community based projects, e.g. Water Care, Coast Watch and Trees for Life. These activities involve students putting their learning into action and empower students.

Drawn on students’ prior knowledge and experiences

Teaching Strategies (continued)




Geography concepts, processes and skills are best taught through learning experiences that are inquiry based

Geographical inquiry involves the examination and investigation of a geographical question from a variety of perspectives while using a variety of concepts.

Inquiry helps develop students’ metacognitive skills, higher order thinking skills and allows for deep learning about a topic

Five themes of geography: location/place, environment, region, interaction, movement

Learning Experiences

Steps involved in inquiry based learning experiences:

Identification of an issue to be studied Development of questions for consideration Identification, collection and analysis of

evidence Conclusions drawn Action taken on the issue that was originally

identified

Planning Learning Experiences




Title: ‘X marks the spot’Aim: By completing this activity students will learn how to make a scale

map. Students will interpret these scales by viewing, interpreting and assessing peers maps.

Task: Small groups hide treasure in the school grounds and then create a scale map to direct other groups to the treasure. Each group must find the treasure by using the map developed by their partner group. Groups will assess their partner groups map to see if correct scale and representations have been used.

Problem solving Higher order thinking Group work & Peer assessment Field work Cross curricular links

Activity

Literacy Multicultural Numeracy ICT Civics and citizenship Environment Sustainability Social competence Ethical behaviour

Cross-curricular Links

Cross-curricular links make connections from one area of learning to another, therefore enhancing students’ understandings

They should be incorporated into learning experiences as much as possible




Cross-curricular Links(continued)

Work, Employment and Enterprise

Difference and Diversity Aboriginal and Indigenous

history and culture Asia and Australia’s

engagement with Asia Creativity and thinking skills

including higher order Intercultural understanding Self management and

teamworkhttp://www.acara.edu.au/verve/_resources/Draft__Shape__AC_Geography21062010.pdf



Title: ‘Are we there yet?’Aim: By completing this set task students will learn how to calculate

how long it will take to get from one country/city to another.Task: Using the following formula and map calculate how long it will

take to get from point A to point B

Formula: rate x time = distancePoint A = Brisbane AustraliaPoint B = New York USADistance = 15508 kmTime = 20 hours 15 minutesWhat is the rate?

Cross-curricular Links(continued)

A

B

Activity Geography & Numeracy

Findings and other suggestions for integrating cross-curricular links

Please access these links, browse the lesson plans and leave some feedback below.

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/01/g68/mapmaking.html - map making/latitude & longitude

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/01/g68/group.html - groups/ethnic minority

Inquiry Lesson Plans

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/01/g68/mapmaking.html



http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/01/g68/group.html



Feedback

Assessment for learning: emphasises interactions between learning and

assessment strategies that promote learning clearly expresses the goals of the learning activity

to the student and the teacher reflects a view of learning in which assessment

helps students learn better, instead of just achieving a better mark

provides ways for students to use feedback from assessment

encourages students to take responsibility for their own learning

is inclusive of all learners

Assessment

Geography is suited to the following types of assessment Inquiry-based research assignments and projects Fieldwork activities Presentations Peer assessment Self-assessment


Assessment(Continued)




Ideas for Inquiry Based Assessment?

The geography strand of SOSE is usually taught by teachers who have no specific geography training. This often results in little enthusiasm when teaching the subject.

The Council of the Institute of Australian Geographers (CIAG) reports that in several states SOSE teachers in Years 8-10 are expected to teach across the disciplines of history, geography and economics, even though they might have studied only one of these subjects at a university level. This practice is is not conducive to quality education.

If teachers are knowledgeable and confident in their subject, they are more likely to teach it well and with enthusiasm. This enthusiasm then rubs off onto their students who are then more likely to show enthusiasm towards the subject being presented.


Importance of Registered and Pre-service Teacher Training


Geography should be reintroduced as a stand alone subject Geography needs to be viewed as an important part of the

curriculum and given adequate teaching time Teachers need to be given training with regards to teaching

geography so that they become confident in doing so Inquiry based learning experiences are most suitable i.e.

problem solving using higher order thinking skills Teachers should embrace and strive to use ICT’s whenever

possible Teachers should strive to keep their knowledge and skills up

to date

Conclusion

Assessment strategies and techniques, 2008. Retrieved 29 December 2010 from website: http://education.qld.gov.au/qcar/strat-techniq.html

Constructivism and Differentiating Geography Teaching and Learning. Retrieved 5 January 2011 from website: http://210.101.116.28/W_kiss9/58900300_pv.pdf

Constructivism: A Model of Learning for Preparing Problem Solvers. Retrieved 5 January 2011 from website: http://www.phschool.com/eteach/social_studies/2002_12/essay.html#Constructivism

Draft Shape of the Australian Curriculum: Geography, 2010. Retrieved 29 December 2010 from website: http://www.acara.edu.au/verve/_resources/Draft__Shape__AC_Geography21062010.pdf

Geography, 2011. Retrieved 10 January 2011 from website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography

Geography Years 7-10: Syllabus, 2003. Retrieved 30 December 2010 from website: http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_sc/pdf_doc/geography_710_syl.pdf

Geography Years 7–10: Advice on Programming and Assessment, 2003. Retrieved 30 December 2010 from website:http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_sc/pdf_doc/geography_710_support.pdf

Marsh, C. 2008. Studies of society and environment: Exploring the teaching possibilities (5th ed.). Pearson Education, Australia

Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians, 2008. Retrieved 7 January 2011 from website: http://www.curriculum.edu.au/verve/_resources/National_Declaration_on_the_Educational_Goals_for_Young_Australians.pdf

Report to the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations: A Study into the Teaching of Geography in Years 3-10, 2008. Retrieved 30 December 2010 from website: www.dest.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/8221F0DF.../geographyreport.pdf

Tambyah, M. Teaching Geographical Issues in Context and Developing a Professional Identity: The Challenge Facing Primary School Teachers, 2006. Retrieved from website: http://eprints.qut.edu.au/5894/1/5894.pdf

The Importance of Geography. Retrieved 7 January 2011 from website: www.geography.org.uk/download/GA_NKS3Importance.doc

References

http://education.qld.gov.au/qcar/strat-techniq.html

http://210.101.116.28/W_kiss9/58900300_pv.pdf

http://www.phschool.com/eteach/social_studies/2002_12/essay.html#Constructivism





http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography

http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_sc/pdf_doc/geography_710_syl.pdf



http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_sc/pdf_doc/geography_710_support.pdf

http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_sc/pdf_doc/geography_710_support.pdf




http://www.dest.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/8221F0DF.../geographyreport.pdf




http://www.geography.org.uk/download/GA_NKS3Importance.doc





http://www.oneonta.edu/academics/geography/what_is_geog.html

http://www.shsu.edu/~qep/rationale.html http://

www.semanticarchitecture.net/post-with-picture/10-ways-to-improve-your-software-architecture-design

http://www.mrdonn.org/geography.html http://www.tannadice.angus.sch.uk/links/links.htm http://www.openarchives.org/ore/0.1/datamodel http://www.hannonhill.com/products/ http://

sakoviciuter.blogspot.com/2009/02/self-assessment-of-success-in-learning.html

http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/easy-outdoor-team-games-for-kids8.htm

References - Images



http://www.shsu.edu/~qep/rationale.html

http://www.shsu.edu/~qep/rationale.html

http://www.semanticarchitecture.net/post-with-picture/10-ways-to-improve-your-software-architecture-design



http://www.mrdonn.org/geography.html

http://www.mrdonn.org/geography.html

http://www.tannadice.angus.sch.uk/links/links.htm

http://www.tannadice.angus.sch.uk/links/links.htm

http://www.openarchives.org/ore/0.1/datamodel

http://www.openarchives.org/ore/0.1/datamodel

http://www.hannonhill.com/products/

http://www.hannonhill.com/products/

http://sakoviciuter.blogspot.com/2009/02/self-assessment-of-success-in-learning.html



assignment two interactive workshop topic: the need to make geography mandatory from years 6 to 10

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