“Boosting” Geographical Knowledge Clare Brooks Institute of Education, University of London

TTA Guidance … Trainee teachers must have a secure knowledge of the subjects they are being trained to teach. Subject Knowledge Booster courses aim to provide the opportunity to boost trainees’ knowledge and ensure that they are well prepared for the challenges of the classroom. Subject Knowledge Booster courses aim to identify the individual needs of the participants and ‘top-up’ subject knowledge in areas which are difficult to address through individual self-study.

Subject Knowledge Booster Courses Course Structures Course Logistics Course Pedagogy Course Resources Participant Responses: “refreshed” “reminded of what I did at A’Level”

Critical Questions In what ways can ITE affect the “gap” between university and school geography? Is School geography, defined by A’Level specs? The way the TTA has defined subject knowledge - can it be “topped up” - what views of knowledge is presented here? And how does this relate to the way that teachers use geography in their teaching?